[Review] The Mule: Clint Eastwood's "Autobiography"?

After a decade, Clint Eastwood once again takes on the dual role of director and star in The Mule. Does the film live up to the director's previous works?

The Mule is a fascinating film. From its poster, synopsis, and trailer, one might expect a dark thriller, but it surprisingly bursts with dark humor and features many heartwarming moments in its latter half. The most intriguing and arguably most successful aspect of the film lies in Clint Eastwood's portrayal of the protagonist, Earl. Though the film is based on a true story, the character of Earl seems tailor-made for Clint Eastwood, and their shared characteristics are remarkably insightful. In the movie, Earl basked in glory for most of his life as a flower vendor, consistently neglecting his family and shrugging off responsibilities. He even missed his daughter's wedding, making him the target of her resentment. Earl's daughter is played by Clint Eastwood's real-life daughter, Alison Eastwood, and their on-screen relationship is particularly poignant. While it's unknown how devoted a family man Clint Eastwood is in reality, he was once Hollywood's most popular male star, a symbol of masculinity of his time. His life has been marked by numerous wives and countless girlfriends, which bears a certain resemblance to Earl's philandering ways. Furthermore, Earl is 90 years old, close in age to the 88-year-old Clint Eastwood. Watching him reflect on his life in the film's final act, deciding to atone for years of mistakes, trying to reconcile with his family, and rebuilding his relationship with his daughter, feels uncannily like watching Clint Eastwood's personal story unfold, making it especially relatable for the audience.

Beyond reconciling with his daughter, Earl also earnestly advises Colin, a DEA agent played by Bradley Cooper, not to let his career overshadow time with his family, emphasizing the importance of cherishing those relationships. The two characters have a quasi-antagonistic dynamic—one a drug courier, the other an agent tasked with catching him. Their ability to shed these roles for a genuine conversation in a restaurant is truly moving, and Colin's reaction to Earl in the ending is particularly meaningful. In the real world, Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper share a mentor-mentee relationship. Cooper starred in Eastwood's film years ago, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Last year, Bradley Cooper followed Eastwood's footsteps, attempting to direct and star in his own film, resulting in the acclaimed A Star Is Born. Thus, watching their on-screen dialogue feels like Clint Eastwood's real-world counsel to Bradley Cooper, truly embodying the sentiment of "the waves behind push the waves in front." It also makes one keenly anticipate Bradley Cooper's future achievements in cinema.

In addition to these "coincidences," another interesting aspect of the film is its black humor-filled plot and dialogue. Earl is portrayed as a cynical old man who maintains a lighthearted demeanor even while trafficking drugs for a dangerous cartel and being pursued by law enforcement. He even advises the drug dealers to relax, leading to many comedic moments. Simultaneously, Earl is a traditional white older man who utters many politically incorrect remarks, keeping the audience laughing. Beneath these jokes lie societal issues that invite reflection. In the film, Earl, at 90, finally reflects on his life and decides to change his attitude towards his family, seeking reconciliation. This demonstrates that no matter how long we live, we can still make changes. We may not be able to redeem lost time, but we can still control our future; everything depends on our personal choices. However, Earl's decision also leads to his sudden disappearance during a drug run to return home and care for his gravely ill wife. While this scene is a touching blend of laughter and tears, it represents a significant tonal shift and gives the film a somewhat "anti-climactic" feel.

Clint Eastwood, currently 88, plays a 90-year-old man, which might sound like an easy feat. However, the real Clint Eastwood remains remarkably robust, whereas his on-screen character appears very frail, often muttering to himself. This transformation truly showcases Eastwood's acting prowess. Moreover, he delivers many subtle emotional performances, brilliantly portraying the character's lonely and guilty sides, proving that even at nearly 90, he remains one of Hollywood's finest actors. The Mule is his first film as both director and star in 10 years, and his first leading role in almost six years. Given that Clint Eastwood is now 88, it's uncertain whether his physical condition in six or ten years will still allow him to direct and star again. Therefore, we truly need to cherish his performances.