Went to see this movie at the weekend and I loved it , much better than Clints last film which I was disappointed by. The Mule is a movie that you would expect from Eastwood it’s no blockbuster but has a good story, plot and good acting by all concerned. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a character driven piece.
Mark somehow talked about this movie for 5 minutes without saying anything at all. Well that's not really true, he talked about a different movie he preferred for quite a bit of the runtime.
Yes Mark tends to compare films with others instead of actually critiquing the film and its film making for what it is. Mule and Old man and The Gun are not really comparable so why he spends the majority of this review talking about the other film is bizarre to me.
Has any other actor played the character of the father with regrets about not having payed attention to his children, more times than Eastwood? (Gran Torino, The trouble with the curve, Million Dollar Baby, Absolute Power, In the Line of Fire)
Reality isn't PC. The "troubling scenes" you refer to suggest that you've never been an important guest at a Mexican drug lord's party. I generally love your reviews, but come on. Stop being so ageist! (Wink wink.) The scene when the ex-wife says to him something to the effect of, "You didn't have to get rich to win your way back into our lives..." is very powerful. The look on his Eastwood's face...Even the way that he interacts with Hispanics moves me as an Hispanic American male from deep South Texas. Honestly, I think he gets so much in this film right. Think of the feat of starring and directing at his age. I was moved immensely when he spoke the word "mijo" to the young man he believed had become his friend. There's a palpable respect between Cooper and Eastwood that is enormously resonant on a kind of metacinematic level.
@Michael Garza Well written and well expressed buddy. I wasn't expecting much from this film but it had strong believable and endearing performances from almost all the large cast. Most of the 'bad' guys were given acting room to demonstrate humanising moments, making this a very shades of grey film. It made me laugh and cry and reflect on life. Can't ask for more than that.
I have no idea what that guy is babbling about. watched the movie and enjoyed it very much. Clint Eastwood did a great job of directing and acting - highly recommended, enjoy!
Gotta disagree with the party scene at the Cartel ranch having a retrograde attitude towards woman, as there’s a sequence of cuts that meanders around jingling asses for what feels like forever, which seems to be Eastwood, in his classic “meat and potatoes” style of storytelling, showing us the vacuous sea of excess both his protag and the supporting characters fall prey to. This ties into an overarching theme that runs through a lot of his work, which is what he perceives as the disease of immediate gratification, at any cost.
Mark seemed bored with his own review. I actually preferred it to Gran Torino which I found to be a nasty film in many ways. This - not perfect - was a little more believable (it was based on a true story) and genuinely more profound.
I haven't done the calculations as yet, but within a review, there's a ratio of time spent talking about another movie or movies (e.g. talking about 'Old Man and the Gun' whilst reviewing 'The Mule') to total time of review that correlates to Mark's apathy toward the current film he's critiquing. I'm about two thirds of the way through this review and I can tell he's not feeling 'The Mule' too much.
The film may not be realistic or as well focused as it needs to be, however the film’s well acted, stylish, intriguing, well directed & is an intriguing crime thriller. (72%) (3.5/5 stars) (positive)
The only thing I really got from this film is that Clint Eastwood has old fashioned views but is DEFINITELY NOT racist or homophobic and he can still get a boner and he loves jazz but he's not a fan of mobile phones. The film itself was fine.
ninethreefivesix I mainly watch foreign films as I find most current American/Hollywood films to be rather disappointing but I make exceptions for a few actors/directors that I like.
i wish critics would just review the movie without comparing them to other movies. clint's character did the best he could which btw is never enough for women. high bar for men low bar for women.
I think you need to factor in the fact this is a true story and based on what I have been able to research, very close to what happened. You can’t therefore berate it for any lack of sentiment or depiction of the human condition that fictional stories can create. It is a tail of reconciliation and realisation about what matters in life and the mistakes people make. I agree Gran Torino is better but again I circle back to the point about fact versus fiction. I shed a tear when his ex wife dies with him there after he apologises for his failings as a husband and a father. I’m disappointed you didn’t connect with this film and are a little surprised.
totally unconvincing, as if the cartel has a personal relationship with any of it's mules. not one character in this film had me convinced, the only thing that seemed true to life is eastwood being senile.
even the clip you showed was edited, myself i thought the mule was better than grand tarrino, whether it's because i was in the right frame of mind but i really enjoyed it, you missed the way his generation were raised hence that's why you didn't get it, i also think this is not a very good review, a bit dismissive, you obviously didn't get it kermode, to be based on a true story to just says it all, well done Clint, to be able to direct & co produce & be the leading actor at the age that he is is well what can i say impressive, Clint must be one of the last of the matcho cowboys from back in the day
My feeling is people who liked this film are not comparing it to Gran Torino which would if they saw that movie reflect more negatively on this one. Kermode is right in saying this movie lacks heart. It was to liner storytelling for my taste, and maybe it's because it's actually a true story.
I disagree, knowing that u r a Brit and recently an old brit couple were arrested in their boat bringing shit loads of coke, yes they weren’t 90 but the husband who’s over 70 was into orgies, I think this was a great movie, shows that anyone can turn side if put in those circumstances, also we need to take care of our veterans period
5:41 "gruff, avuncular, genial" (gruff = abrupt/brusque; avuncular = kind and friendly to less experienced people (I think towards the old man in this film); genial = pleasantly mild, friendly). Yes I had to look all those up myself too.
Enjoyed elements of it bit it all seemed very disjointed. I thought it was gunna be an intense thriller, tries to throw in emotional stuff which didn't really stick and then the party scene was just a bit strange like out if nowhere and seemed outta place (i enjoyed it all the same for other reasons haha)
Yes ofcourse, the first censor of contemporary cinema... How did you get the impression that your politics is so yummy when forced down our throats? The movie is entertaining so let people enjoy it without your patronizing remarks about what is the appropriate language or depiction of this or other minority/ oppressed group
Not the best review at all! Why compare it to other films? Just take it on its merits. Combining the pace of a 90 year old with the quick pace of the cartel makes this a funny and emotional ride. Definatly worth seeing. Put the thesaurus down kermode and just review the film lol
Just saw this on Sky and I have been a Clint fan all my life. I must say the film left me empty, a couple of good scenes, such as the ‘Waffle house’ scene with Bradley Cooper. And the last major interaction with his ex-wife, who was played very well by Diane Wiest. Can’t fault Clint’s acting either, just the script and screenplay were weak, not much of a story. Great to see Clint on screen though and I hope he makes some more films. Just a shame that this was a dud IMO.
I disagree with Mark on this one. I watched The Old Man And the Gun and I disliked it very much, I dont know how Mark though it was a better film? Totally recommend The Mule over The Old Man and the Gun
I watched this film and expect to like it as much as I did great film I would recommend and some laugh out load bits for me very droll humour glad I didn’t Listen to marks review
Kermode manages to repeat himself a lot, often in the same review, Either his sense of self importance is out of control or his mental health is on the bonk. Shame, as I used to enjoy his schtick
This movie sucks... Totally... It's like a granddad just watchet too many episodes of Breaking Bad and watched Blow or Scar Face and thought - "Hey... I want to be a star of such a badass movie" and made it himself... Trying too hard.
Darren Allanson It’s bad because it’s an insult to the audience’s intelligence, especially if you’re part of the targeted group. Like with those Christian propaganda movies, it’s not because of religious disagreements; I would hate them if I was a Christian.
Seeing Clint Eastwood still acting and directing at almost 90 years old is such a treat. A true American legend.
It would have been more of a treat if it were a better film....
Went to see this movie at the weekend and I loved it , much better than Clints last film which I was disappointed by. The Mule is a movie that you would expect from Eastwood it’s no blockbuster but has a good story, plot and good acting by all concerned. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a character driven piece.
Mark somehow talked about this movie for 5 minutes without saying anything at all.
Well that's not really true, he talked about a different movie he preferred for quite a bit of the runtime.
I hate that about him, just get to the movie!
Yes Mark tends to compare films with others instead of actually critiquing the film and its film making for what it is. Mule and Old man and The Gun are not really comparable so why he spends the majority of this review talking about the other film is bizarre to me.
Mark tells you exactly what he thinks - you need to read between the lines.
I really enjoyed this movie. I wish Eastwood could find more roles for himself.
Has any other actor played the character of the father with regrets about not having payed attention to his children, more times than Eastwood? (Gran Torino, The trouble with the curve, Million Dollar Baby, Absolute Power, In the Line of Fire)
Yes, and his children are invariably spoilt and not worth dealing with.
and he was better in all of them. this was a waste of film stock.
@@HarryNicNicholasHey Nic… go become a mule and make yourself useful
It’s on Sky Movies in the U.K. now. It’s pretty decent human drama from Eastwood. Eastwood seems to have done some decent older roles nowadays.
"Old grump who keeps to himself". The character is quite clearly the opposite of that. What is he talking about?
Or does he turn into the opposite in a sort of Walter White to Heisenberg way? (just asking as I haven't been able to see the film yet)
@@ctrlaltdelete200390 no he goesnt go full heisenberg 😊. He doesn't really get corrupted like WW and remains morally neutral about what he does.
Reality isn't PC. The "troubling scenes" you refer to suggest that you've never been an important guest at a Mexican drug lord's party. I generally love your reviews, but come on. Stop being so ageist! (Wink wink.)
The scene when the ex-wife says to him something to the effect of, "You didn't have to get rich to win your way back into our lives..." is very powerful. The look on his Eastwood's face...Even the way that he interacts with Hispanics moves me as an Hispanic American male from deep South Texas. Honestly, I think he gets so much in this film right. Think of the feat of starring and directing at his age. I was moved immensely when he spoke the word "mijo" to the young man he believed had become his friend. There's a palpable respect between Cooper and Eastwood that is enormously resonant on a kind of metacinematic level.
@Michael Garza
Well written and well expressed buddy.
I wasn't expecting much from this film but it had strong believable and endearing performances from almost all the large cast. Most of the 'bad' guys were given acting room to demonstrate humanising moments, making this a very shades of grey film.
It made me laugh and cry and reflect on life.
Can't ask for more than that.
I really enjoyed the movie, it was engaging, heartfelt and funny
funny? how so?
Eastwood is a national treasure i loved this film he's 88 now hope we see a few more movies of his
Old Man and the Gun - oscars' biggest snub
I have no idea what that guy is babbling about. watched the movie and enjoyed it very much. Clint Eastwood did a great job of directing and acting - highly recommended, enjoy!
The old man and the gun is not a better movie than the mule
This film is definitely great!! I think he may have been distracted when he watched it...
Gotta disagree with the party scene at the Cartel ranch having a retrograde attitude towards woman, as there’s a sequence of cuts that meanders around jingling asses for what feels like forever, which seems to be Eastwood, in his classic “meat and potatoes” style of storytelling, showing us the vacuous sea of excess both his protag and the supporting characters fall prey to. This ties into an overarching theme that runs through a lot of his work, which is what he perceives as the disease of immediate gratification, at any cost.
Casablumpkin I didn’t like the film, but that’s a decent reading considering Eastwood’s talent
Really enjoyed this, loved the pacing.
Very watchable movie
Mark seemed bored with his own review. I actually preferred it to Gran Torino which I found to be a nasty film in many ways. This - not perfect - was a little more believable (it was based on a true story) and genuinely more profound.
He's not gruff. He's the opposite of gruff. That's why it's an interesting character for him to play.
John Platt I mean he’s been gruff his whole career, to be fair.
So many good scenes in this film. Recommended.
Saw the movie today and really enjoyed it
I haven't done the calculations as yet, but within a review, there's a ratio of time spent talking about another movie or movies (e.g. talking about 'Old Man and the Gun' whilst reviewing 'The Mule') to total time of review that correlates to Mark's apathy toward the current film he's critiquing. I'm about two thirds of the way through this review and I can tell he's not feeling 'The Mule' too much.
It was an absolute treat for me
Everything Kermode says makes me want to see this film........
wtf was the point of this review I took nothing from it.
You got Kermode's opinion of the movie. That's what a review is, an opinion.
The film may not be realistic or as well focused as it needs to be, however the film’s well acted, stylish, intriguing, well directed & is an intriguing crime thriller. (72%) (3.5/5 stars) (positive)
Clint Eastwood plays an old grumpy man who rejects to be pc. Eastwood really does have a wide range
have you seen it?
I've just seen it on Amazon. The acting is a little stiff at times, but Eastwood has an amazing screen presence.
The only thing I really got from this film is that Clint Eastwood has old fashioned views but is DEFINITELY NOT racist or homophobic and he can still get a boner and he loves jazz but he's not a fan of mobile phones. The film itself was fine.
With all the cartels in this movie there is no violence in this movie. Only one kill in the whole movie and the cartel are never confronted
have you actually seen the movie? if not. it's okay. we get that.
BTW. The Mule passed 100 million dollars in US box office.
Looking forward to seeing this. Clint is one of the last great men in Hollywood.
agree
Clint hasn't made a good movie in a long time though. I saw this and it was not a good time.
ninethreefivesix I mainly watch foreign films as I find most current American/Hollywood films to be rather disappointing but I make exceptions for a few actors/directors that I like.
Bill Cosby was the best man in Hollywood
@@matowixunplugged7927 with the bippin’ an a boppin and the drivingbddndjsjaj
I really want to see this movie
Just saw it and loved it.
i wish critics would just review the movie without comparing them to other movies. clint's character did the best he could which btw is never enough for women. high bar for men low bar for women.
If you want to win in films. Be in a Eastwood movie.
I'm looking to watching it.
Was entertaining and interesting! Clint Eastwood is one of the most talented actors of all time and his performance in this movie is excellent!
When you say "of all time" you mean the last 60 years, so why not say that (even though that would be very debatable, if not simply untrue).
This movie's avuncular
AF, bro.
I think you need to factor in the fact this is a true story and based on what I have been able to research, very close to what happened. You can’t therefore berate it for any lack of sentiment or depiction of the human condition that fictional stories can create. It is a tail of reconciliation and realisation about what matters in life and the mistakes people make. I agree Gran Torino is better but again I circle back to the point about fact versus fiction. I shed a tear when his ex wife dies with him there after he apologises for his failings as a husband and a father. I’m disappointed you didn’t connect with this film and are a little surprised.
I was expecting Mark to do his Waits impression then
totally unconvincing, as if the cartel has a personal relationship with any of it's mules. not one character in this film had me convinced, the only thing that seemed true to life is eastwood being senile.
even the clip you showed was edited, myself i thought the mule was better than
grand tarrino, whether it's because i was in the right frame of mind but i really enjoyed it, you missed the way his generation were raised hence that's why you didn't get it, i also think this is not a very good review, a bit dismissive, you obviously didn't get it kermode, to be based on a true story to just says it all,
well done Clint, to be able to direct & co produce & be the leading actor at the age that he is is well what can i say impressive, Clint must be one of the last of the matcho cowboys from back in the day
My feeling is people who liked this film are not comparing it to Gran Torino which would if they saw that movie reflect more negatively on this one. Kermode is right in saying this movie lacks heart. It was to liner storytelling for my taste, and maybe it's because it's actually a true story.
Anyone remember the thumnail's scene? Helppp :D
- You are missing the forest for the trees..For cryin out loud the character, not to mention the
This movie felt terrible... Literally felt like Gran Torino 2: now with Clint Eastwood saying the N word.
Please can 5live caption these videos for those who cannot hear the audio? Thank you
I disagree, knowing that u r a Brit and recently an old brit couple were arrested in their boat bringing shit loads of coke, yes they weren’t 90 but the husband who’s over 70 was into orgies, I think this was a great movie, shows that anyone can turn side if put in those circumstances, also we need to take care of our veterans period
I only understand about 75% of the words Mark uses lol. Still enjoy his reviews tho.
@thenoodleshop no. I'm not as smart as you clearly.
They're all good words. Maybe learn some of them now you've heard them.
5:41 "gruff, avuncular, genial" (gruff = abrupt/brusque; avuncular = kind and friendly to less experienced people (I think towards the old man in this film); genial = pleasantly mild, friendly). Yes I had to look all those up myself too.
How Can u call this a review
Enjoyed elements of it bit it all seemed very disjointed. I thought it was gunna be an intense thriller, tries to throw in emotional stuff which didn't really stick and then the party scene was just a bit strange like out if nowhere and seemed outta place (i enjoyed it all the same for other reasons haha)
Oh it's "avancular" and "genial" is it Mark?
Well thank you, that answers all of my questions!
Yes ofcourse, the first censor of contemporary cinema... How did you get the impression that your politics is so yummy when forced down our throats? The movie is entertaining so let people enjoy it without your patronizing remarks about what is the appropriate language or depiction of this or other minority/ oppressed group
Snowflakes are so offended by film reviews these days
Not the best review at all! Why compare it to other films? Just take it on its merits. Combining the pace of a 90 year old with the quick pace of the cartel makes this a funny and emotional ride. Definatly worth seeing. Put the thesaurus down kermode and just review the film lol
Should every movie be PC lol
Was a fun film however some of the acting (not Clint) were a bit B-movie
"Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call ye upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
I thought Mark said Kermode uncut was ending??
Kermode Uncut has finished, Mark’s reviews continue.
Weird pronunciation of Diane Wiest @ 3:45 😆
Please review Serenity 🤣
I disagree with Marks review. The film was excellent. Way better than Gran Torino. 👍👌
Gran Torino was good, Million Dollar Baby was good and I'm looking forward to this one.
This movie sucked.
@@MarkARhodie I haven't seen million dollar baby. I need to check it out.
When is "bothersome" a criticism?
When you're doing your very best Mary Whitehouse impression.
Hahhaa thats a good one
The only thing that makes no logical sense is the last 10 minutes. Everything else would have been good.
It was really good. Finished it today.
This movie was god awful! Fishburne and Cooper walked through this with barely any effort.
Lesson one of film reviewing: never go political.
I enjoyed it
Just saw this on Sky and I have been a Clint fan all my life. I must say the film left me empty, a couple of good scenes, such as the ‘Waffle house’ scene with Bradley Cooper. And the last major interaction with his ex-wife, who was played very well by Diane Wiest. Can’t fault Clint’s acting either, just the script and screenplay were weak, not much of a story.
Great to see Clint on screen though and I hope he makes some more films. Just a shame that this was a dud IMO.
I disagree with Mark on this one. I watched The Old Man And the Gun and I disliked it very much, I dont know how Mark though it was a better film? Totally recommend The Mule over The Old Man and the Gun
So, there's no err 'what's going on down there, sir' in the film then?
I watched this film and expect to like it as much as I did great film I would recommend and some laugh out load bits for me very droll humour glad I didn’t Listen to marks review
Kermode manages to repeat himself a lot, often in the same review, Either his sense of self importance is out of control or his mental health is on the bonk. Shame, as I used to enjoy his schtick
hahahahahahahah
This movie sucks... Totally... It's like a granddad just watchet too many episodes of Breaking Bad and watched Blow or Scar Face and thought - "Hey... I want to be a star of such a badass movie" and made it himself... Trying too hard.
This movie was pretty bad. Utter anticlimax and blatant wish-fulfillment pandering to Middle American sensibilities.
What's wrong with that? Films are constantly pandering to everyone else's sensibilities.
Darren Allanson It’s bad because it’s an insult to the audience’s intelligence, especially if you’re part of the targeted group. Like with those Christian propaganda movies, it’s not because of religious disagreements; I would hate them if I was a Christian.
Yikes,considering whether to see this now? Not as good as The Old Man & The Gun,which I gave a 5/10...
It's a bad movie. Clint Eastwood has run out of steam unfortunately.
@@bighands69 its impossible that someone just didn't like the movie? Yea, you're right.
@@bighands69 Thank heavens you're here to tell us all why we didn't like something. Stop projecting onto other people your own issues.
I'm so tired of Clint Eastwood films
Worst film in ages
Terrible review.