Cry Macho (2021) User Reviews (702)

A film with an old soul

[guskeller · 7/10 · 22 September 2021]

Cry Macho is a film with an old soul. Clearly, having Clint Eastwood (a 91 year old man) as both the protagonist and director contributes to that, but there is more to it. Everything about this production is slow and mellow, never getting too intense. The story is straightforward, small, and predictable. The editing is calm. The acting is gentle. Honestly, many viewers will find Cry Macho boring and they will have good reason. However, that doesn't make the movie bad.

In fact, Cry Macho is proficient from a technical perspective. Although it is rather passive, that is its goal. The story is of a tired, old cowboy who is somewhat defeated by life. It is fitting that the film would embody these resigned feelings. Add in apt themes addressing toxic masculinity and the result is concrete messaging. It's conventional and understated, but this film has its merits. Therefore, even though Cry Macho is certainly not a movie with wide appeal, it should be generally respected.

Writing: 6/10 Direction: 7/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Acting: 7/10 Editing: 8/10 Sound: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack: 7/10 Production Design: 8/10 Casting: 7/10 Effects: 6/10

Overall Score: 7.0/10.

Likeable but not very credible

[neil-476 · 6/10 · 17 November 2021]

Mike, an ageing ranchhand and onetime rodeo whiz (retired through grievous injury) is tasked by ex-boss Howard to go to Mexico and retrieve his teenage son Rafo from his mother and bring him back to Texas: the boy has fallen into dodgy ways. Mike falls foul of Rafo's mother, but retrieves the lad, and the two embark upon a road trip. And then events conspire to delay them.

What a strange film for Clint Eastwood, looking and sounding every one of his 90 years, to direct and star in. There is a LOT wrong with this movie. Let's start with two hot, if mature, women giving this old bloke the glad eye. Admittedly, Clint still oozes charisma, but even so, there is a distinct feeling of an old man's wish fulfilment. The jeopardy set up by the situation never really pays off, and the multiple problems the travellers encounter are usually solved by "and with one jump they were free." The other bit of the setup, Mike's and Howard's backstory, never goes anywhere. Macho the rooster does get a payoff, but is then more or less cast aside as the main payoff - Rafo's reunion with his father in the light of what he has discovered during the jorney - is offhandedly dismissed. And there is a huge second act which comes out of nowhere and turns out to be the main story.

And yet it is a likeable film, and I smiled most of the way through. It is perhaps of Eastwood's skill as actor and director that I came very close to accepting this frankly unbelievable tosh.

Goodbye Sir.

[omarcantbestopped · 7/10 · 20 September 2021]

I'm ok with Clint Eastwood the "BOSS" real life cowboy leaving us with this as his last acting role if that's the case.

It was a project of love and since he is divorced in real life, it hurts me to see him as he aged and in search of make believe love in his movies.

The star of the movie hands down "Macho" and he is not a chicken.

Simple compassionate story, not an action movie!

[LiveLoveLead · 7/10 · 20 September 2021]

This film is a slow burn, character story not an action packed flick. It's not perfect, and not one of Clint's best, but it's enjoyable and sweet. Yes, the film is predictable, the mom's character was unrealistic and a bit over-the-top (as were others), and there were some elements that were definitely far fetched/unrealistic, but we really enjoyed the heartwarming relationship that grows between the old, ex-rodeo rider, Mike Milo and the 13-year-old ornery, skeptical, neglected boy, Rafo; and the rooster added some fun and humor. It's a clean movie without language or nudity and a tender story at heart, IMHO! Sept2021.

Eastwood about Eastwood by Eastwood starring Eastwood

[searchanddestroy-1 · 6/10 · 10 November 2021]

You have to be a die hard fan of Clint Eastwood, very very die hard buff of this icon of the movie industry to really appreciate this film where there is no surprise at all, unless you have never seen a movie with Eastwood as an actor. The directing and acting, of course, as usual with him, are flawless, I would say awesome, but sooo predictable. You can also see it as a kind of testament feature, as if he knew that it would be his last performance, at the age of 91. A kind of summary of his life and career. Some poignant moments between him and the young boy, no one could deny it. But for me it remains a film with, for and only about Eastwood. I will never say it's a bad film, no, but that's exactly what I was afraid of. Because I have never liked this actor, nearly always the same kinds of characters; ALWAYS. But he is a legend, a myth of the movie history. And an awesome director too, gifted, sensitive, unique.

Disappointing

[patriciariva · 4/10 · 19 September 2021]

We recently watched The Mule and I was surprised Clint still had it in him to make a great film, but this one didn't reach the same level for me. Beautifully filmed, as all his movies are, but a predictable story with lame, and sometimes cringey, dialogue, and the kid was trying way too hard to act. Dwight Yoakam phoned in his part as well. The best acting was done by the rooster, honestly.

All in all, not unwatchable, but not one of his better ones.

Why are people liking this

[evrivali · 6/10 · 17 September 2021]

I went to an early screening of the movie with high expectations since I'm a Clint Eastwood fan. The story seemed very promising and heartwarming and knowing Clint Eastwood I expected to cry my eyes out inside the theater. That's not what happened. At all. I almost fell asleep. The movies starts off pretty straight forward and the main story kicks of immediately. It continues to remain interesting for the first half hour but after that it seems like the screen writers had run out of ideas. The plot kinda stops and the only thing we are witnessing are Mike Mailo and Raffa hanging out. Nothing happens to move the plot forward. It's so forgettable that two days have passed and I'm struggling to remember what happened in order to write this review. The acting is also not good at all as Raff's lack of talent is obvious (Eastwood is great as always of course but unfortunately he is not alone in the movie). It's not a bad film but it's extremely unremarkable. You could save yourself some time and money by watching something else.

Clint, love you but it's time to retire.

[tim-651 · 1/10 · 2 October 2021]

This was horrible. You should have stop at the Mule. Totally unbelievable plot line. It great that you've made it to 91. But there's no way a 91 year old man is going to go to Mexico and get some kid. That's just ridiculous. You should have just cooked the roster at the beginning and ended the movie there.

Still Plays A Damaged Hero Like No Other

[AudioFileZ · 7/10 · 21 September 2021]

There's not much one might say for Clint Eastwood left to conquer. He made the definitive western plus created the blueprint for all cop movies afterall. Even gave us some comedic relief. Yet at over 80 he's still a creative force. What seems left is just to wind down and enjoy himself. That's the feeling one gets when watching Cry Macho.

Cry Macho is a very humble little story. No action to speak of and insertions of the warm and fuzzy instead. He still comes out a hero if on a small scale in a western motif. So lower your expectations and let the man entertain you with a heart in hand victory lap. I actually enjoyed the ride.

What the cluck?

[michaelmain-62884 · 2/10 · 17 September 2021]

This is bad. Dwight Yaokum can't act. The kid actor makes him look better. Clint strives to stoop to their level and succeeds.

The plot is ridiculous. " Hey, I'll bully a 90 year old man to go Mexico to get my son who would willingly come to the U. S. if Daddy had just called him. "

The voluptuous ex wife wants to seduce the 90 year old man and gets angry when he rejects her. Weird stereotypes. Accents are insulting and bad, prickly pear cactus has medicinal powers. Federales everywhere. The scenery is nice. And there's a chicken.

Take It for What It Is

[tomwood-79805 · 8/10 · 17 September 2021]

I wanted to watch this since the first trailer aired online/TV. If you're a true Clint Eastwood fan, you will stay patient and let him tell you a story. As Clint gets up in age, his characters continue to reflect the depth of his experiences and decades on Earth. Those who were disappointed in this movie probably pined for the energetic "Dirty Harry" side of Clint Eastwood, which only exists in a past era. This is an easy, enjoyable watch about a cowboy beyond his prime who does a little soul searching while on a mission. If you go into it understanding that it isn't a Michael Bay action thriller, you will set more realistic expectations. As such, Clint Eastwood remains true to his western roots, his acting keeps up with performers half his age, and he always makes sure to spotlight new blood within the cast of his films. If you are open minded this movie is worth your time.

Not his finest, but still entertaining

[billsoccer · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

If you'e a Clint Eastwood fan, you should see this. You may or may not rave, but you should see this. If you're not a fan, I doubt if you'll appreciate it. The story is of Clint being persuaded to recover a son whose mother took him to Mexico years ago. Clint goes, finds the son and the rest of the movie is spent on various adventures trying to get out. Entertaining, but only because it's Clint.

First, he puts himself in many implausible/untenable positions, starting with the quest to find the long-lost son. Then, the reaction of the mother of the child - not believable at all. The kids reactions seem pretty superficial - all appear to advance the plot, with little insight/emotion.

Dreadfull!

[ekrones · 1/10 · 19 September 2021]

Clint Eastwood is one of my favorite directors, but when the best actor in your movie is a rooster, it's time to retire.

This was a very wholesome movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 26 February 2022]

I have to admit that I am rather amazed with the talent of Clint Eastwood. Even at his age, he is still directing movies and starring in movies, and he is still spot on with his performances and still commands the same respect on the screen as he did when he was young.

Writers Nick Schenk and N. Richard Nash wrote a rather wholesome and very entertaining and enjoyable script and storyline here for "Cry Macho", and Clint Eastwood did a great job in directing the movie and bringing the story to the screen.

The storyline here was one that proved very entertaining and compelling. The story was driven by a good narrative that included not only drama, but also some great character development and dialogue.

Aside from having Clint Eastwood in the lead, then "Cry Macho" also have some great performances from the likes of Dwight Yoakam (playing Howard), Natalia Traven (playing Marta) and Eduardo Minett (playing Rafo). Actually the entire cast put on good performances and it was a very believable and realistic movie in that sense.

The 2021 movie "Cry Macho" is definitely well-worth a watch, should you happen to have the opportunity to watch it. I was genuinely entertained by it, and it is a movie that I warmly recommend.

My rating of "Cry Macho" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

Eastwood's classic

[nikiforoval · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

Clint Eastwood continues to surprise, in his nineties he creates a very solid movie and performs as a leading actor. Funny enough, but his current roles are sort of a continuation of the roles from 70ies and 80ies. Mike Milo looks a grown old tough guy Dirty Harry. In Cry Macho Eastwood explores the relationship between abandoned son, his mother and his not-so-very honest father. The movie reminded me of Eastwood's Gran Torino. Cry Macho has the same atmosphere, yet the plot is reversed, now parents are on the bad side not children.

It's a very fine movie.

How is this a 6.9??

[deejayzenit · 2/10 · 17 September 2021]

Listen... I'm a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, but this is just depressing. Bad acting, a string of unlikely events and just an overall snooze fest. Props to Clint for doing this at 91, but me thinks it's time to retire...

Classic Eastwood--minimalist and heartening.

[JohnDeSando · 19 September 2021]

"I have no cure for old." Mike (Clint Eastwood)

Clint Eastwood's Cry Macho is a far cry from the transformative Unforgiven, where an entire Western genre shifted to a darker, redemptive world, non-glorified and decidedly less romantic than earlier Westerns. However, Cry is very much in the motif mainstream of current heroic films that are bringing family together, even saving civilizations, depending ultimately on parent's reconciling with their children.

Mike (Eastwood) is traveling south of the border (as he did in Mule) to retrieve his boss's (Dwight Yocum) young son, Rafa (Eduardo Minett), from evil influences, not the least of which is his debauched mother (Fernanda Urrejola). Nothing new here, Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) did the same kind of rescuing a few years ago. Eastwood, however, brings a layer of sweet reality in an old man doing a good deed that ultimately saves spiritual lives.

He's bent with Eastwood's 91 tears but still carrying the spirit of Mike's many rodeo triumphs and his personal integrity. After Mike finds the kid, he grows into a grandfatherly mode that makes his character a hero with only one punch but many good deeds such as curing injured animals. Eastwood's noted minimalism is a welcome antidote to overly-wrought modern heroism.

So good is Mike, he attracts the attention of widowed cantina owner, Marta (Natalia Traven), whose young daughters unite the two adults in sweetness and good deeds. Marta is interested romantically in Mike, and even Rafa's errant mother tries to seduce him, a signal that the elderly Eastwood is director and fulfilling any old fantasies of an old man.

Perhaps just as life-affirming is the night the Mike and Rafa spend in a shrine to the Virgin Mary-a bit corny and obvious but creative plotting with meaning.

Rafa's expertise using his fighting rooster show him to be a boy of substance and provides Mike with his best line, commenting on the implications of the title: "Guy wants to name his cock Macho, it's ok by me." A slow film with some grace notes like this plant us firmly in Eastwood land, where the director uses classical filmmaking touches to create a realistic and sentimental drama.

As always, the pace and the plot are classically contrived to put us in a squint-eyed mood, enough to obliquely point us in the direction of current immigration, family fragmentation, and male identity problems without explosions.

It's vintage Eastwood with little macho but much heart.

Enjoyable 80's throwback drama

[chris-h-3 · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

As well as being set in the 1980's the film also has very much has the feel and tone of an 80's drama film.

Probably the closest film to it in Clint Eastwoods history is Bronco Billy. I didn't realise until looking on here that the story and script do date back to the 1980's - I would've liked to have seen the Roy Scheider version had it been made but perhaps not the Arnold Schwarzenegger one!

I enjoyed it, its not the kind of film that really gets made today, quite laid back and more of a 'Sunday afternoon' film rather than something which relies on heavy drama or violence.

It has a lot of charm and, while I did find it got a little slow in the middle, I very much enjoyed it, the supporting cast were all very good and I'm glad I got to see Clint Eastwood in another role which he performed very well.

The kid cant act

[darpecaric · 4/10 · 17 September 2021]

Movie by itself its stale and slow,but the kid is god damn awful. So awful i had to stop after 60 mins. And this is coming from a Clint Fanboy.

respect towards Clint but his abilities limited this flick

[trashgang · 6/10 · 18 November 2021]

91 years old, it sometimes shows and sometimes it doesn't. It shows when Clint is dancing and walking, it doesn't shows when he is swearing all the time and being a prick.

Respect that he did it all by himself, priducing, directing and acting but the movie depends on his acting and all respect, he is maybe to old.

It's a lot of blah blah and here and there there's a bit of action going on but it reminded me a lot of Gran Torino and even The Mule.

Still, not a bad movie but sometimes it moves slow. But hey, even the flick itself had his issues being made after 30 years, so big thumbs up to Clint.

If you are into Clint, a must see.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5.

Avoid if an Eastwood Fan

[zac-40020 · 2/10 · 19 September 2021]

If you are a Clint Eastwood fan, avoid this movie at all costs. It is poorly written, the acting was terrible, and knowing how capable a younger Eastwood was in front of and behind the camera made this extremely uncomfortable to watch. The teenage co-star was horrible but did the best he could with the crappy script. There were more plot holes and continuity issues than a low-budget film school project. I have enjoyed most Clint Eastwood films and own many of them. Unforgiven, Pale Rider, and Gran Torino are some of the best films ever made. Cry Macho does him a grave injustice. I don't want to remember his career this way.

Won me over

[jaimemedina-36288 · 8/10 · 17 September 2021]

So listen, this isn't The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. There aren't a lot of gun fights or bar fights. It's just simple tender storytelling. And that's enough for me.

simple movie, filmed like older times.

[themountainraven · 7/10 · 2 December 2022]

This film has an older feel to it, not like it is filmed in and old western theme, just the overall feel is films from say the 60's western. It's a descent performance. The dialogue and acting is a little slow, the overall storyline is....well, for a lack of better words....simple.

Don't let the simplicity fool ya though. The overall feel of the movie is spot on when flicks were just a little more innocent without showing extreme gore, violence and other common extreme tactics many movies placate to.

If you like Clint, I feel it's a good movie for you. The fact that this man is still kickin and still in the game is awesome. In ways I kinda wish more films were tamed down a bit like this was. I give a 7 for the fact that this is a little more away from the norm.

The worst Eastwood movie I've ever seen.

[fallkken · 1/10 · 30 September 2021]

So within the first 30min, a decrepit 91 old Eastwood is pursued by 2 very sexy younger woman.. The acting and script get a 0* rating. The plot.... less then zero. Didn't make it past the first hour. Tried again the next day and last another 10min and knew, I had to put an end to this abomination of a movie. Clint, even the greats get too old to play anymore.

Decent film

[rumagoo · 7/10 · 14 March 2022]

I thought it kinda dragged at first, but it ended up being a pretty good movie. I thought the writing was good. It doesn't have a bunch of action but the story is still very good.