The Mule

A safe bet. Even though the family sub-plot almost surprises in its unsurprisingness, developing into inadequately fairytale morality, and heading overall towards an inevitable finale, I enjoyed it and was even moved at times. The legendary personality of the director/actor (especially the later) is evident in every line uttered with gusto and in every camera movement, with a narration that never grinds, the likeable evolution of Earl’s motivations and the position of the investigators, so the slightly repetitive scheme gradually becomes more dramatic and, despite the perhaps exaggerated laxity, you can feel in the story an old man’s sincere recapitulation of a life that cannot be lived again and whose errors cannot be mended. Clint is great again, you will get used to his character, laugh with him and feel sorry for him. And the solid cast of known actors in secondary roles makes it even more pleasant. 80% (04/02/2020)

At an impressive stage of his career, Clint Eastwood delivers a professional performance both behind the camera and in front of it. He continues to make films because he still enjoys doing it and because his position in the American film industry allows him to do so. What he showcases in The Mule he has already done in the past (much) better and more convincingly. His film lacks tempo and elements of sentiment creep into it. The routine execution can't be overlooked, but you can't blame the old man for portraying his social type, a guy who has forgotten the times when things were still in their place, when there were two genders and men knew how to change tires, he has been honing it for several decades now. Overall impression: 55%. (09/07/2021)

Without the necessary dramatic drive, The Mule is a lukewarm cup of afternoon tea. Interesting thanks only to Eastwood’s personality and his old man of questionable character who, as a husband, dad and grandpa, tries to improve the relationships in his family. This level does not bring forth anything powerful, much less original, and the thriller plotline focused on smuggling looks nicely oldschool, but it doesn’t captivate. The villains are not scary enough, and we are not that worried about our “hero” being imperiled by them. Maybe because almost no one in his story would really miss him. (24/12/2018)

"Thanks, Grandpa." – "You're welcome, dykes." Clint Eastwood is a sure thing. While The Mule (if you compare it to the last few films he's been in) isn't as strong as Gran Torino or Million Dollar Baby, it's thankfully much better than Trouble with the Curve. It's a fun and touching film with a laid-back atmosphere interspersed with some suspense, with one incredibly admirable guy in the main role and the director's chair. Earl Stone is one of his most sympathetic characters. (26/03/2019)

Clint Eastwood is known for his slow-paced storytelling and I don’t think that it gets slower as he gets older. The atmosphere of The Mule is quite similar to Gran Torino’s and that was shot when he was 10 years younger. The only disadvantage of this movie is the fact that even after 30 minutes of watching you don’t get the feeling that the movie has any kind of inventive story. Despite this you will enjoy watching Clint during his rides across America. The fact that he is unbelievably naive shouldn’t be taken too seriously. There is something about this movie and the peace and confidence in his soul are almost unbelievable. And so it is hard for the audience to believe that he is almost 90 when he criss-crosses the never ending American highways in an American Jeep. Well, someone’s lucky… (03/07/2020)