Movie Review: Cry Macho
Clint Eastwood Teaches us How to Cry Macho
If you’re looking for something to leave you with your head held high, and feeling good, then Cry Macho will make your day. The new acclaimed film by legendary filmmaker Clint Eastwood, Cry Macho follows a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder (Clint Eastwood) who takes a job to bring a man’s young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.
Clint Eastwood jumps back into the director’s chair, yet again. At the age of 91, Clint Eastwood still brings a dominant presence on the screen. Even behind the camera, that same energy can be felt, which is a true testament to Clint Eastwood as a director. The film does not feel slow by any means. It keeps the viewer invested from the very opening frame.
An interesting aspect of the film is there is a “passing of the torch” so to speak by Mr. Eastwood and the younger character of Rafo (Edwardo Minett), which can be seen as Eastwood doing the same to a new generation in a whole. Like with a lot of stories about the older wise man teaching the younger protagonist how to prepare for the world, there ends up becoming a father/son bond very early on between Mike and Rafo. But where this one differs is the younger man in this story has already taught himself how to handle himself, having lived on the streets of Mexico. So the character can already take care of himself. It’s Mike’s influences that teaches the young man that there’s more to being a man than just being street wise and tough. Their journey gives Mike opportunities to teach Rafo about hard work and responsibilities. On the other side of the story, Mike, the older protagonist who feels his days are limited, starts to feel a sense of relevance back into his life through his time looking after Rafo.
Whether you’re a fan of Clint Eastwood, westerns, great “feel good movies,” or all three,
then Cry Macho is the film for you!
Cry Macho is rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements.
TIP JAR
Manuel Ruiz is a film maker from Ridgecrest. He has been working on Big Hollywood films such as Django Unchained and The Lone Ranger for more than 10 years.
