Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Clint Eastwood. Ever since the 1950’s, Eastwood has become an icon. Whether it’s cowboys without a name, unforgiven bounty hunters or boxing trainers, Eastwood has portrayed many strong characters. Despite his age of retirement, Eastwood hasn’t lost passion for making entertainment. Listed below are my picks for the greatest movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Westerns are a great genre of movies that have shaped my grandfather’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of the westerns. I remember bonding with a grandfather that grew up to treasure westerns about bounty hunters embarking on adventures. He became excited whenever he had a chance to watch a film about commemorated gunslingers without a name. My grandfather loved all kinds of westerns, but his favourite film was always “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. He always spoke fondly about a western that shaped his identity. Arguably, the main reason why the film resonated deeply with my grandfather was because of Clint Eastwood. In his greatest role of his career, Eastwood embodies a silent bounty hunter that evokes fear. Eastwood has a gift for communicating emotions through his squinty-eyed expressions, and his strengths are evident in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. For instance, the final scene in which Blondie has a Mexican standoff in the desert showcased his strength as an actor. Ultimately, what makes “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” Clint Eastwood’s greatest movie is its meaningful message. The film delivers a strong message about greed which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies made during the 1960’s, it has aged beautifully with a good legacy that’s anything but ugly. Nearly 60 years after the release of a commemorated spaghetti western about good bounty hunters embarking on bad adventures to find treasures that are ugly, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a legendary actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated in the industry.
2. Million Dollar Baby
It’s not easy to recover from a sports injury. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I sprained my leg in injuries causing sorrow. A heartbreaking injury, it was caused by routine of excessive running. Following the devastating injury, I couldn’t engage any longer in an activity I had once enjoyed doing. The news that I would no longer be able to exercise for a few weeks brought tears to my eyes. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured consequences of sports injuries that impact athletes adversely as powerfully as “Million Dollar Baby”. Released in 2004, Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning movie captured the life of a female boxer struggling to cope with a career-ending sports injury. In the most emotional role of his career, Eastwood embodies a hardened boxing trainer seeking to assist a female boxer cope with an injury causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most sensitive role. It’s a role that gives the actor an opportunity to showcase a vulnerable side audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the hospital scene in which Frankie witnesses his female boxer dying represents one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Million Dollar Baby” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about grief that would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking portrait of sports injuries faced by athletes seeking success in boxing, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies are worth celebrating.
3. Unforgiven
Forgiveness is not an easy decision to make in life. Recently, I found it hard to forgive a mean cyberbully that harassed me online. He would often insult me by criticizing my writing in ways that were demeaning. A destructive bully, he became a person that was impossible to forgive. As someone haunted by memories of a bully that was unforgiven, I adored “Unforgiven”. Released in 1992, Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning western captured outlaws that are unforgiven. In the most intense role of his career, Clint Eastwood embodies a vengeful outlaw that finds it hard to forgive criminals for committing murders causing despair. Eastwood has always been one of those actors with a powerful presence, and his strengths as an actor are evident in “Unforgiven”. For instance, the final scene in which William Munny confronts criminals in the town’s bar showcases the actor’s presence. Ultimately, what makes “Unforgiven” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about forgiveness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a western about unforgiven outlaws facing gunfire, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor with no plans to retire whose movies audiences admire.
4. Gran Torino
Aging is a painful process causing seniors to face stress. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with my grandmother. I remember spending time watching movies in the theatre with a grandma I grew up to treasure. However, aging became a barrier ending our bond forever. After reaching an age of retirement, my grandmother faced memory impairment. Facing memory loss, she lost interest in pursuing hobbies she once found engaging. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured consequences of aging leading seniors to face sorrow as powerfully as “Gran Torino”. In the most mature of his career, Eastwood embodies an aging war veteran facing despair. It’s a late career role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase a sense of wisdom he hadn’t shown in his previous movies. For instance, the iconic scene in which the grumpy Walt Kowalski tells intruders to get off his lawn is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gran Torino” a special film is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message that would resonate with everyone that has witnessed aging. A powerful portrait of aging causing seniors to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost ability to captivate in films audiences celebrate.
5. The Bridges of Madison County
It’s challenging to come to terms with lost love. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. Dressing in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl my entire school would admire. However, immigration brought our bonds to a closure. When my family immigrated, I lost contact with a girl that I appreciated. As someone treasuring a childhood crush I loved dearly, I adored “The Bridges of Madison County”. Released in 1995, Clint Eastwood’s romantic film captured a short-lived romantic affair between a couple doomed to face tragedy. In the most romantic role of his career, Eastwood embodies a photographer that engages in a short-lived affair. Eastwood is known for his portrayals of hardened heroes, but this was the first time he showcased vulnerability on screen. For instance, the scene in which Robert and Francesca bond in the rain showcases the actor at his best. Ultimately, “The Bridges of Madison County” stands out because of its message. The film delivers a profound message about lost love that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful portrait of a short-lived affair, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has created a long-lasting career by producing movies about which audiences care.
6. Dirty Harry
Few characters that Clint Eastwood has played throughout his career are as legendary as Dirty Harry. Released in 1971, Don Siegel’s groundbreaking movie found the actor playing a dirty cop seeking criminal justice. In the most commemorated role of his career, Eastwood embodies a corrupt cop that breaks the law in the pursuit of criminal justice. With Dirty Harry, Eastwood created a legendary anti-hero that established a lasting legacy. It’s a role that gave Eastwood an opportunity to showcase his intimidating screen presence. For instance, the iconic “are you feeling lucky punk?” scene has become one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. A dazzling depiction of corrupt cops solving crime, it’s an engaging reminder of an actor whose celebrated movies have definitely without a doubt stood the test of time.
7. Escape From Alcatraz
Stories about prison breaks have often made for engaging movies. Ever since Andy Dufresne escaped Shawshank prison achieving redemption, movies about prison breaks have always attracted attention. Movies about prisoners escaping incarceration have always been entertaining. In 1979, Clint Eastwood captured the enduring appeal of prison breaks in his movie “Escape From Alcatraz”. In the most mischievous role of his career, Eastwood embodies an intelligent prisoner that plans an escape from a prison evoking fear. It’s a role that gave Eastwood a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing characters with a mischievous nature. A powerful portrait of a prison break, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his ability to make engaging films leaving an impression on audiences that’s hard to shake.
8. Mystic River
Child abduction is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has commonly shied away from a serious subject matter that rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. However, in 2003 Clint Eastwood courageously tackled the sensitive subject matter when he made his film “Mystic River”. Eastwood showcased extraordinary skill behind the camera by capturing a sensitive subject associated with stigma. Eastwood has always had an eye for casting great actors in his movies, and here he showcased his strength by casting Sean Penn who is extraordinary. It’s a film that gave Eastwood the rare opportunity to showcase his strengths as a director. A powerful portrait of child abductions putting parents under intense pressure, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences treasure.
9. The Outlaw Josey Wales
Clint Eastwood is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing characters with a short temper. Ever since he made headline news in the 1950’s, Eastwood has thrived at playing angry characters with a short fuse. Eastwood’s strength for playing short-tempered characters that let out wales is evident in his film “The Outlaw Josey Wales”. Released in 1976, Clint Eastwood’s commemorated western found the actor showing his strength for playing characters with a short temper. In the most angry role of his career, Eastwood embodies a solider seeking to avenge his family’s murder. Eastwood excels at using his growling voice to capture an outlaw with a short temper. An outstanding depiction of an outlaw with short temper breaking the law, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor without any flaw who timeless movies always inspire awe.
10. Richard Jewell
When it comes to real-life heroes in American history, it’s worth discussing Richard Jewell. In 1996, Jewell made news when he rescued individuals at the Centennial Park Bombing. Initially, Jewell was honoured by the public. However, in a twist of fate Jewell went from being a hero to a false suspect accused of bombing. In 2019, Clint Eastwood did an excellent job of honouring a hero treated with ridicule in his film “Richard Jewell”. In an impressive directorial effort, Eastwood showcased control behind the camera honouring a hero mistreated by the media. As powerful as Richard Jewell’s desire to prove that he’s innocent, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make engaging entertainment whose timeless films will always leave me in astonishment even when he has reached an age of retirement.
The Film Buff 
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