Cry Macho — A story of being lost… and found
Over the years of Clint Eastwood’s career, the Western is a genre which he has made a considerable impact. Starting from the tv show Rawhide in 1950’s, Eastwood has remarked his career in Westerns. His career expands from an actor to an academy award winning director which also involves the same genre, Unforgiven. In Cry Macho, Eastwood returns to his director’s chair and as a producer while appearing in front of the camera.
The plot is quite familiar to the Clint Eastwood movie fans. It is a The Gauntlet: a story of a man who is assigned to bring a wild person back to the authority. It is a Gran Torino: Eastwood becomes the mentor of a lost boy. It is a The Bridges of Madison County: two adults fall in love. It is a The Mule: a long trip along a dirty road with illegal stuff(fugitive) onboard while the federals are following.
No matter what it looks like, Cry Macho is once rejected script. It was almost becoming an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, but he turned it down due to his duties as the governor of California. Then it came after Eastwood, but he selected Dirty Harry movie instead. Later the script was converted into a novel by the same author, N. Richard Nash. Over the years the script was tossing around and until Eastwood took a one last sight at it. Eastwood said, “It’s fun when something’s your age, when you don’t have to work at being older”. The novel is barely seen in the movie as it has more Eastwood facts in it. But the story is interesting.
The first ten minutes of the movie brings us the former Texas rodeo star, Michael “Mike” Milo (Clint Eastwood), gets fired from his job at the ranch. While Dwight Yoakam as the boss Howard Polk reminds the down fall of the hero, Eastwood shoots some dashing words which cues some shadows of Harry Callahan. Anyway, the time fast-forwarded to one year, when the boss returns to assign Mike to the job of bringing his only son, Rafael “Rafo” (Eduardo Minet) back to him from his abusive mother Leta (Fernanda Urrejola) in Mexico.
From that moment onwards Mike is on his mission: sanctioned kidnapping. He finds the “nutcase” Leta at her bungalow, partying with people. Later he realized that boy he seeks is more than a teenager. Rafo is a gambler, thief and cockfighter who lives in the gutter. Surprisingly, the boy is crazy about cowboys which is later proved through the photograph with his father at the ranch which appears only for few minutes on screen when Mike sneaks into Rafo’s room. He agrees to come with Mike though Leta does not allow them.
Mike has a risky job to do but, his approach does not reveal that he has taken it as serious as the audience take. He enjoys the clean air and beautiful wide-open spaces. After some evasions from Leta’s bodyguards and federals Mike says to the boy “This looks like an interesting town. Maybe we should check it out.” It feels like Mike takes things simply and eventually, he likes the companion.
The movie experiences a plot twist since they enter the little town. Our travelers receive a load of warm hospitality by the middle-aged widow Marta (Natalia Traven) who runs the cantina in the town. Mike finally finds out his long-lost romantic moment with the help of Marta. Hopefully, they do not end up like Robert and Francesca.
Being a Clint Eastwood western, the movie should include some scenes with Clint on a horse. Fulfilling this fact, Clint appears not only on a horse but also breaks some wild ones (with the stunt double). According to Clint, he being a 91 years old man riding a horse caused some nerves on set since he has not been on a horse since Unforgiven. But, the rodeo hero, Mike looks comfortable to be back on horse, displaying his macho side.
The movie has many stories “from long time ago”. But it is quite simple and any attempt to dig deeper ruins its beauty. Mike is a lone wolf who is a reminder of a world that once was. Rafo is a broken spirit who is looking for someone to trust. The mixture of these two is the reason for the success of the story. The mutual understanding and trust between the characters build up the strong relationship which is the main theme of the movie. They both are strong in their own ways. Rafo is fulfilling his need of father figure by Mike while Mike is returning to be a family guy.
The character of Mike senses like some kind of a mirrored image of Clint Eastwood himself. Clint’s life in westerns and he being an animal lover are some highlighted facts in the character of Mike. “This macho thing is overrated,” Mike says. “You think you have all the answers, but then you get older and realize you don’t have any. By the time you figure it out, it’s too late.” It feels like these words are originally by Clint Eastwood not by Mike.
The stunning views of Western sunrises and beautiful desert plains alternate with the scenes, captured by Ben Davis add more beauty to the story. Mark Mancina’s music illuminates the feelings and emotions of every frame. Though Natalia, Yoakam, Fernanda have lesser parts in the movie since the story mainly runs with the characters of Mike and Rafo, their performances are incredible. The portrayal of the 13 years old Rafo by Minet is elegant. Eventually, Eastwood does his part in his style. The chemistry between the old man and the young boy is gorgeously presented by the two actors.
Looking through Clint Eastwood’s filmography, it always involves with gunfights, car chases, violence, justice and catchphrases. Cry Macho may not tick all the boxes for you. But if the old man takes the wheel, just sit back and enjoy the ride.
~GS Kariyapperuma
