The Mule [Blu-ray] [2019]

Back in 2008 screen-legend, Clint Eastwood said that his role in the filmGran-Torino would be his last, though he would continue to direct movies, however, in 2012 he returned to the silver screen in the film Trouble with the Curve (must admit I did enjoy that film) and now in 2018 The Mule..............having watched it, I can understand why he took the role, it was perfect for him in my opinion.The film tells of award-winning horticulturist Earl Stone's (Clint Eastwood) now in his 80's falling on hard times, losing his home and business.He is approached by one of his granddaughter's bridesmaids friends with a proposition, which will, by just driving, earn him good money.Well, he takes up the offer not at first knowing what it is he's carrying for them, however, the money is good, it will solve many a problem for both himself and those close that he can help, so he'll, even though he now knows what he is shifting, continue.He's an old guy, surely beyond suspicion?......he gets friendly with some of the cartel he's working for, but, things will become far more sinister when there is a change of management.On the trail throughout of the smuggling operation DEA agent, Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper)..........how long can Earl avoid being caught?Superb film, great role for Clint, fans of Clint Eastwood down the years, like myself, should not miss this one.

This film is well done but it is a rather small film. An old man who has been on the run all this life and has lost everyone in this life of his that way, comes finally to the end of the trail he may call his life, at the end of an illusionary leash of his, because he keeps himself on the leash of believing he is free and has an eternal lease on life, forgetting life is mortal by definition.He becomes a drug mule out of the need for money and the film becomes pathetic. He wants to be a mule that controls its life. Funny, isn’t it? And phony, indeed.With the money he recreates what has been lost in time; He buys a new truck. He recuperates his house that had been confiscated under foreclosure by his bank. He reopens the bar and dancing hall of his youth and finances the old boss of this place. He tries also to buy his family back. All that is purely nostalgic. A dream in the shape of a nightmare.But he also does it in order to remain alive and not become an aging vegetable, if not even a potato in a dark cellar pushing and growing a few germs looking for the proper soil to become young again and be reborn.He also looks for fun, the fun of something unexpected, something he hadn’t even dreamed of in his youth or in his nighttime solitude.He enters this criminal field of activity in order to end up in prison for the rest of his life, in a protected environment where he would be able to satisfy his real passion: to cultivate flowers and sure enough he finds a piece of land there and he can plant and grow beautiful flowers. And be rest assured that this has been his intention all along, thus escaping his ungrateful family, couldn’t I dare to say, his grateless family?And here he merges the prison and his dream, his old fantasy and his reality, his free and free-wheeling recklessness, on one hand, and his final cell of his life, till death parts him from this world, on the other hand.There is maybe a moral in this film, the moral of an old man pondering on what life becomes when death comes close: how can old abandoned people manage to live on beyond 90 with their heads on their two shoulders? This is a question and now, later rather than sooner, we will all come to it and have to answer it with enthusiasm.Dr. Jacques COULARDEAU

I enjoyed this film so much and it is all down to the brilliant performance of the great Clint Eastwood who, in his late eighties, can still deliver the goods. His portrayal of down at heel old timer Earl Stone is such fun to watch as he drives across America in his aging truck, later (as he picks up hoards of cash) turned in for a flash new model. He falls for a scam, albeit one that gets him out of financial trouble for a while and we see him in his truck with his favourite 1940s and 50s crooners playing on the music system, singing along much to the annoyance of the gang who have the truck's cab bugged! Clint Eastwood's films were always fun, this one is no exception.

Another true story from the Master , and , this time starring the great one himself .Wonderful .Wasn't sure if I was going to like this after seeing many average reviews , but he was perfect for the role and injected pathos and sympathy into an amiable , if dishonest , character .Possibly his acting swan song ?I truly hope not !

For a Clint Eastwood film this wasn't a great one. Earl had not been that nice to his family, and was all too eager to take drug money and get down and dirty with prostitutes as an old man. It was ok... not ground-breakingly different from any other ganster movie featuring a load of low-lifes, except for his age. Wouldn't watch it again particularly.

Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood) is a successful horticulturalist in Peoria, Illinois but neglectful of his family. He finds himself estranged from his wife Mary (Dianne Wiest) and daughter Iris (Alison Eastwood), but is still admired by his granddaughter Ginny (Taissa Farmiga). Mary and he divorce, and after failing to embrace the digital age, Stone’s business falls on hard times. He takes a mysterious offer to deliver a package from Mexico to Chicago. With his newfound income, he rebuilds the local VFW after a fire and helps pay for his granddaughter’s cosmetology tuition. Meanwhile, he frustrates his cartel handler, Julio (Ignacio Serricchio) with his unpredictable behavior.great movie great natural acting don't miss it,

As always a brilliant Clint Eastwood film probably one of his best. Long may you make films Mr E.