I’m sorry to say that Clint Eastwood’s latest feature film is a dud – plain and simple. I had hopes that Cry Macho might would be an interesting adventure film about a harrowing rescue. This isn’t an adventure and it’s certainly not interesting. The dialogue is dull, the story is largely empty, and the acting is only average at best. This film does prove that Eastwood can still give a pretty good performance even at 91, but what this film also proves is that an actor can’t save a film that’s script is helplessly lacking.
I’m not a Clint Eastwood super fan but I am a very big fan of several of his past projects. Million Dollar Baby and The Bridges of Madison County are in my opinion, two of the best films ever made. It’s clear that Eastwood has what it takes, but goodness he’s left twisting in the wind in this hollow snore.
The script has a myriad of problems including inane dialogue, a shallow story, and odd out of place moments. The dialogue between the characters never moves beyond the cheesiest most stereotypical lines you could come up with. Many times I couldn’t help but just roll my eyes or laugh at these characters conversations. Cry Macho wants to come off as dramatic and heartwarming but it’s all so surface level and lazy.
The story also wants to have a sweet and endearing feel but almost nothing about it rings true. I was surprised at how hollow this plot turned out to be. There’s no effort to dig down into these characters and there’s certainly no effort to construct an engaging story that keeps viewers entertained. I wouldn’t be shocked if people fall asleep while watching this thing.
And this is no western by the way. Just because a film takes place in the desert doesn’t make it a western. No, Cry Macho is ultimately a poorly made “drama”. This is almost like Hallmark’s version of a western.
There are several random moments of “suspense” among the sappy “drama”. These moments come off as totally jarring. It’s like the plot can’t decide what it wants to be. And these weak odd moments are over and done with so quickly that it makes you wonder what the point was.
And the choice to have a pet rooster accompany Eastwood and Minett on their journey was not a wise one. Everything surrounding the rooster just comes off as strange and laughable (not in an intentional way). Clint Eastwood’s lead performance is serviceable. He seems to be trying his absolute best to overcome this exceptionally weak material.
The rest of the cast is alright for the most part, although Eduardo Minett has several scenes where it’s clear he needs some more training if he should continue in acting. Yoakam doesn’t really have a lot to do in his minor role as Eastwood’s former boss that sends him on this journey to retrieve his son.
Although I’m not terribly familiar with Yoakam, I remember his fine performance in Panic Room. He doesn’t get any real opportunity to shine. Now, I will say that I did enjoy Natalia Traven in her supporting role as Marta. She provides a nice endearing presence. Although the script doesn’t give her very good material, she does a lot merely with her face. I hope to see more from her in the future.
Cry Macho is a hollow drama with weak dialogue and a story that fails to engage. While this film isn’t the absolute worst 2021 has offered up, it’s definitely ONE OF the worst.
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