The Mule: Film Review

Earl Stone hasn't always been the best father or husband but he has always been a great horticulturist. But 12 years after receiving the best award of his career it all goes away when he loses his flower farm. In order to get it back Earl starts doing runs for the Mexican cartel as a drug mule.

No matter what you think of the movie itself, Clint Eastwood is still a powerhouse of an actor and director. There isn't a moment that felt lazy in The Mule. Eastwood sells it as the wisecracking, slightly raciest but lovable Earl Stone. As for director, you can see he still has a great eye. The movie has some beautiful shots.

This isn't an action movie, there are no explosions or any high speed chases. The movie is just simply a story about a man with a lot of regrets trying to make amends with his family...even if the method isn't the best option.

There are parts when the story drags on a little. You can only see Eastwood making the same trip so many times before you get a little bored. My one wish was that they explored the story of the Mexican cartel a little more. The "family" gets introduced toward the middle of the movie with Julio proving himself to the head of the cartel by taking on Stone. Then it picks up with the "family" but you don't get much more from it.

One surprising thing about this movie was that Bradly Cooper was in it as a very important character. I feel like all the trailers and promotions for The Mule glossed over the great cast. You have Cooper as the Agent that is hunting for the biggest cartel mule, which turns out to be Stone. Michael Pena is his partner and even Laurence Fishburne. Had they mentioned the rest of the cast they might have been able to ride the wave of Cooper's biggest acting year.

While this movie is based loosely on a true story it still has it's flaws. It seems like a lot of other movies that Eastwood makes such as Grand Torino. If you are a fan of Eastwood then you are sure to love The Mule. It's a good movie with great actors and a story line that hasn't been beat to death. It might even be Eastwood's best work.

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