Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper and Laurence Fishburne
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many stars have made films audiences treasure like Bradley Cooper. Since his fame in the 1990’s, Cooper has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s alcoholic singers, Bipolar patients or drug users, Cooper has played many characters. Arguably, Cooper’s finest strength as an actor is his commitment to craft. He is one of those actors that has an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even if he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Cooper has left a long lasting impression. Through his ability to play characters that are engaging, Cooper has created a legacy that’s lasting. An actor with a strong commitment towards his craft, Cooper has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout his bold career, Cooper has made many memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cooper and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Mule” is truly my favourite. Released in 2018, Clint Eastwood’s movie offered a bold portrait of drug cartels. Packed with strong production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about drugs. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance from Bradley Cooper, who embodies a police officer that hunts for an elderly drug runner. Ultimately, what makes “The Mule” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about drugs, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing drama about aging drug runners, there are several reasons why “The Mule” is worth watching.
“The Mule” tells the story of an elderly drug dealer that faced obstacles which are cruel. Clint Eastwood plays Earl Stone, an elderly man that lives a life in retirement alone. Earl has always enjoyed the peaceful lifestyle of being an elderly senior without any worries. However, Earl’s life forever changes when he gets a job working for a drug courier. Tasked with the duty to drive drugs across the U.S. border, Earl is faced with a job that requires immense pressure. Faced with the emotions of stress, Earl struggles to maintain his drug business with success. Hunted by the DEA agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper), Earl is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to work for a drug courier. In a scenario that’s cruel, Earl doubts his abilities to be a drug mule.
Clint Eastwood has always been fascinated with themes of justice. A legendary director, Eastwood has often made engaging movies about individuals under pressure. His iconic movie “Mystic River” provided a portrait of childhood friends torn apart by trauma that causes disaster. With “The Mule”, however, Eastwood made his first ever crime drama. It was the director’s attempt capturing the tension faced by drug dealers experiencing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Eastwood captured a drug courier embarking upon a journey to discover his identities. Emulating Bruce Beresford’s “Driving Miss Daisy”, the filmmaker successfully utilizes montages to demonstrate the lives of elderly drivers. For instance, montages enhance the drug drive scene. During this intense scene, Earl goes on a tense drive seeking to sell drugs under pressure. Using strong montages, Eastwood creates a portrait of drugs that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” claimed, montages elevate films about bipolar. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Eastwood captures the hardships which aging drug couriers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Mule” that deserves appreciations is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired with Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed”, Eastwood deftly uses cross-cutting to capture the tensions drug couriers are facing. The movie expertly switches back and forth between Earl’s drug dealing business and lives of DEA agents on his trail. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the drug chase scene. During this engaging scene, Earl faces tension when he is hunted down by DEA agents in his car. Using cross-cutting, Eastwood creates a portrait of drug trafficking that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Furthermore, the musical score is extraordinary. Arturo Sandoval’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a frightening atmosphere capturing the heavy burdens drug dealers bear. Using strong production, Eastwood captures drug courtiers that face tensions.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Mule” is a film about drugs which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture hardship that drug dealers experience. Inspired with Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream”, Eastwood uses silence to capture the hardships that drug dealers experience. For instance, silence elevates the grief scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Earl mourns the loss of relatives that cause tension. Through silence, Eastwood creates a portrait of drug trafficking that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Bradley Cooper’s “A Star is Born” proved, silence enhances movies about famous musicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a powerful screenplay, Eastwood captures drug couriers that face a price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Bradley Cooper gives one of his best career performances as agent Colin Bates. Cooper first earned recognition for playing hilarious wedding crashers in comedies. With “The Mule”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a DEA agent that faced adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With strong expressions, he captures angst, bravery and trauma faced by a DEA agent on a mission. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bradley Cooper, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Clint Eastwood is extraordinary, capturing the charisma of a drug dealer experiencing obstacles that are misunderstood. Laurence Fishburne is fantastic, capturing the stern personality of a detective that seeks money to earn. Lastly, Dianne West is worthy of appreciation. As the wife of a drug dealer, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “The Mule” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing drug dealers that are cruel. Unlike most movies about drugs, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses relatable themes such as ambition, drugs and greed which would resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message about trauma that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Mule” is one of those rare movies about drug cartels that everyone would adore.
Fans of Bradley Cooper would absolutely enjoy “The Mule” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. An engaging drug drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about elderly seniors selling drugs that face tension, it’s a strong reminder of an actor with dedication that has made unforgettable films throughout his career which are absolutely without a doubt worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 