The Mule (2018)

This is a 2018 film starring, and directed by, Clint Eastwood. The movie is based on the true story of a courier for the Sinaloa drug cartel who was arrested in 2012 when he was 87 years old! The source material for this movie is an article by Sam Dolnick in the New York Times titled, "There's a True Story Behind: 'The Mule': The Sinaloa Cartel's 90 Year Old Mule. It's an interesting read. The movie deviates from the true story, but not in an egregious way. Clint Eastwood plays the "mule" transporting cocaine for the cartel. According to the movie Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood) stumbles into a unique opportunity to make some money at an opportune time. He intends this to be a short term/one time opportunity but soon finds reasons to continue. Earl soon becomes an indispensable part of the cartels shipping line. The movie follows Earl on his journeys and his attempt to reconcile with his family. We are also introduced to DEA Agents Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper) and another agent played by Michael Pena. We watch as these DEA Agents track the cartel's shipping syndicate and work to interrupt the shipments. Eventually the DEA catches up with Earl Stone. Someone I spoke to about his movie suggested that the script could have been changed slightly and this could have been turned into a tragedy. This person speculated that such a tragedy could have possibly increased the films likelihood of receiving an Oscar nod. I disagree. I think the film was fine as it was. It was interesting, compelling, and based on a true story. Often times the truth is stranger than fiction, and this is one of those times. And given Eastwood's proclivity for making these types of film, he has made four consecutive movies that were based on true stories (American Sniper (2015), Sully (2016), The 15:17 to Paris (2018) and The Mule (2018).), I'd be happy to be happy to continue to view them. 3.5 out of 4 stars.