The Mule is a crime film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also plays the lead role. The screenplay is by Nick Schenk and is based on The New York Times article “The Sinaloa Cartel’s 90-Year-Old Drug Mule” by Sam Dolnick, which recounts the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran in his 80s who became a drug courier for the Sinaloa Cartel. It seems now-a-days, anything is possible and anything goes. This is Eastwood’s first acting project since 2012’s Trouble with the Curve, and his first starring role in a film directed by him since 2008’s Gran Torino. The Mule has been made into a humorous yet serious movie. I’m glad I invested time to seeing it.
The Mule opens with Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood) who is a 90-year-old horticulturist and Korean War veteran facing financial ruin. His estranged wife Mary (Dianne Wiest) is lambasting him for never showing up or contributing financially, as his family looks on helplessly. A friend of his granddaughter Ginny (Taissa Farmiga), who felt sorry for Earl, gives him a card with a telephone number and address of a place where he can drive and get paid. Desperate for money, Earl follows up on the tip and becomes a “mule” transporting cocaine through Illinois for a Mexican drug cartel. Facing little suspicion due to his age, race, spotless criminal history and strict adherence to driving laws, Earl is soon trusted with huge amounts of drugs and paid equally large amounts of cash. With the money he obtains from drug-running, he pays for renovations of the local VFW Post and his granddaughter’s wedding and education. He becomes friendly with the cartel members, who call him Tata (“grandfather”).
Meanwhile, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force consisting of Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper), a DEA agent and the Special DEA agent in charge (Laurence Fishburne) is narrowing in on the cartel, headed up by Laton (Andy Garcia). Something happens on the way to the biggest drug delivery entrusted to Earl. You’ll have to see the movie to find out what happens and to be entertained as I was by a well written script. I’m sure The Mule doesn’t tell the story as it exactly happened but I’m sure you’ll get it. I loved this movie. Check it Out!
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