Cry Macho

Sometimes you come across a film that's really hard to write a review for. 

More often than not, it's when a film lands squarely in the middle - struggling to make any sort of impression, positive or negative. 

Trust me, I can praise or rant about a film all day. The truly mediocre ones? Sometimes writing those reviews feels like pulling my own teeth.  

Cry Macho is one of those films. 

The new film starring, and directed by Clint Eastwood is supposed to be a "western", by the marketing, and it's more akin to a character study and drama. 

That slight misunderstanding isn't a big fault of the film, it is what it is, but it doesn't make the overall experience any less dull or boring. I'm not a huge follower of Eastwood's films per say, but that this film could barely hold my attention is almost preposterous given the films I've loved of his that he either starred in or directed.

It brings me no pleasure to say that part of the problem is Eastwood himself in the role. At 91 (NINETY f**king ONE!!) years old, he's decently frail these days. That he's even able to still direct and act is impressive so many, many kudos to him for that, but there's something almost sad about seeing the once iconic cowboy at this age in a cowboy hat, trying to act tough. That's part of the movie's point, to be fair, but the unfortunate aspect is that age has bled over into his acting too. It's stale, his delivery of dialogue is stilted except for really important monologues, and in general it feels like the film and other actors are trying to entertain Eastwood's desire to be in this western at this age, rather than someone 10-20 years younger. This is even borderline laughable when a mild love interest is introduced to Eastwood's character at some point...it all feels like a film trying to appease his desires. 

Despite that, the film's purpose and story are well intentioned, even if the outcome is a dull film that lacks much tension. Eastwood's Mike Milo is tasked with helping his friend by going down to Mexico to get his son from his abusive mother. Initially, this is interesting and there's even an air of the "unknown" about how this will all end up. You're first guess would be that it goes poorly...then the film slowly begins to craft itself as something slightly different once Eastwood meets the boy, Rafo (Eduardo Minett who...gotta be honest, doesn't do much better than Eastwood acting here). Overall, the screenplay is simple - get the boy from Mexico back to Texas - but lacks much of any tension. There's small moments where you wonder if the police will finally catch them and others where a plot "reveal" or two come to light, but by and large this film plods along without much surprise. At times, that's enjoyable thanks to the characters and setting (there are a few well-earned tender moments) but otherwise there's little here to stick in my mind much longer than the weekend. 

So yeah, this review will be much shorter than my usual ability to "go long". Cry Macho is a film that just doesn't have much to offer without being terribly bad or good. Sure, it has its moments, but outside of that it's just...there. 

CONS

• The performances aren't great, even from Eastwood. His impressive age is beginning to show, and his delivery of dialogue and believability in the role is fading
• Lacks much tension and when it's supposed to be there, it's not super effective
• Plods along and feels long thanks to a weak screenplay

PROS

• Where Eastwood's performance isn't great, his direction is still solid. The film's pacing and lack of tension I'd attribute more to a weak screenplay 
• Simple, easy plot
• Decent/good cinematography throughout
• The rooster!

Rath's Review Score | 5/10