Movies: Cry Macho

Clint Eastwood Directs Another Satisfying Film

Clint Eastwood’s newest motion picture is an enjoyable escape. It’s not epic, romantic storytelling. As with most of director Eastwood’s movies during the last 20 years, Cry Macho is simply smart, solid naturalism.

Clint Eastwood, adapting a novel with help from a screenwriter, provides a recent Western landscape seeded with depth and mystery as an old Texan (Mr. Eastwood, directing himself again) in the late 20th century seeks to redeem himself from a backbreaking rodeo fall. He does so during a journey south of the U.S. border.

The old cowboy, a Mexican boy and his rooster, named Macho, afford the film’s road trip life lessons. They encounter real danger, family strife and Mexico’s federal police. The cast, including the actor playing the boy and especially the actress playing a cantina proprietor, is good. The script’s economy and Mr. Eastwood’s trademark briskness distinguish Cry Macho.

It’s rare that I bother to see Hollywood movies. Director Clint Eastwood’s biographically themed f…