“The Mule”

Movie Review

Clint Eastwood is the star and director of the American crime drama The Mule, and he also served as one of the producers. Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran who joined the Sinaloa Cartel as a drug courier in his 80s, is the subject of the script written by Nick Schenk and based on Sam Dolnick's 2014 article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule" in the New York Times.

Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Pena, Andy Garcia, and Dianne Wiest all appear in the movie. Eastwood's first acting project since 2012 and his first leading role in a movie he had directed since 2008 were both this one.

When The Mule was released in December 2018, it was well welcomed by critics who praised Clint Eastwood's performance and dubbed the movie "poignant and charming" but also critiqued it for lacking dramatic weight.

Earl Stone, a famous horticultural and Korean War veteran, skips his daughter Iris's wedding in 2005 so he can accept a lifetime achievement award honoring his career achievements. Iris quits communicating with her father out of resentment that he once again put his job before her, and his wife Mary filed for divorce.

Twelve years later, Earl travels to see his granddaughter Ginny attend her wedding rehearsal, not telling his family that his home has recently been seized by the bank and that the only reason he is there is because his flower farming business has failed. While there, a drug cartel member spots him after getting a tip from one of Earl's former workers about his financial difficulties. Earl agrees to the gangster's proposal and starts acting as a "mule" for the organization, bringing cocaine across Illinois.

Due to his age, race, unblemished criminal record, and meticulous adherence to driving regulations, Earl faces little suspicion and is soon trusted with large quantities of drugs, the delivery of which earns him thousands of dollars. Earl eventually becomes one of the cartel's top mule drivers as his involvement with them grows. With the money, he purchases a new truck, pays off his mortgage, and even makes much-needed repairs to a nearby VFW post that was destroyed in a fire. Even Ginny's wedding and college fees are covered by Earl so she can attend.

Meanwhile, Agent Trevino is designated as Special Agent Colin Bates' partner and moves to the Chicago DEA office. They had to concentrate on the cartel's shipments to Chicago. Following the discovery of an insider source, Bates and Trevino begin their search for Tata, the cartel's most lucrative driver. Laton, the cartel's leader, is ecstatic with Earl's achievement and extends an invitation to a celebration. Earl is under the impression that the cartel views him as a friend. When Laton is killed and replaced by another mobster, Gustavo, things start to go south. Gustavo wants that Earl to be kept under stricter supervision because he is more tyrannical and domineering than Laton.

Earl ends up in a café with Bates while a $12 million cocaine shipment is in transit. The elderly Earl counsels Bates to attempt to make amends with his wife and avoid making the mistakes Earl has made because neither man recognizes the other. After that, Earl heads out to finish delivering the goods when he gets a call from Ginny informing him that Mary is very ill. Before Ginny corrects him for what she perceives as his lack of concern, Earl initially assures her there is nothing he can do. Earl gives in and defies Gustavo, reconciling with Mary and remaining at her side into her final moments. Days later, Mary passes away in peace. Earl resumes the delivery as the DEA and the cartel close in on him after attending the burial and ultimately making amends with Iris and the rest of his family.

When the cartel's enforcers capture him, they call Gustavo to plead for leniency after learning that he defied them by taking care of his ex-wife. Gustavo complies with this request and permits Earl to carry on. Earl keeps going to the drop-off location, but the DEA agents eventually catch up with him and take him into custody. Bates makes a nice remark to Earl before sending him off. Earl's attorney begins to make a passionate argument in court, pleading for clemency on Earl's behalf because of his advanced age and military service. Earl, who is obviously feeling horrible, interrupts her and enters a plea guilty to all charges. Earl is then immediately transported to federal prison. His family has vowed to come to see him and has offered their support. He picks up gardening again while incarcerated.

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