The Mule is a 2018 film directed, produced and starring the 88 year old Clint Eastwood. He plays an older man called Earl Stone, a horticulturist who specialises in Lily cultivars. I couldn’t help but think of my Dad, of similar age, healthy and energetic and life-long horticulturist.
But there, fortunately (!), the similarities end. Earl has a problematic relationship with his family – he’s focussed only on the Lilies and related events – and sacrifices family and family events for his passion.
Earl becomes, unwittingly a mule, running cocaine across country for a Mexican Drug cartel. Any more information and I’ll have to put a spoiler alert out, but it’s beautifully filmed, and very tense.
He’s a man without the filters of needing to prove anything which is why he’s such a successful mule.
In the end, the film is about family, time and paying attention to the relationships that matter to you. You can buy anything almost, but not time.
I wonder if the film is intended to be cathartic for Eastwood – he reportedly has eight children from several relationships – and one of his daughters plays his on-screen daughter.
A gripping, at times funny, film with a strong message and a typical Eastwood ending that isn’t feel good but kind of is.
Enjoy*.
Stephen
*Time with those that matter.
Stephen Drain's Leadership Blog 