This film is a nice change of pace for a Clint Eastwood Western. While in some ways Clint's character isn't that much different from some of his previous cowboys (he's great with a gun and is motivated by greed....until the end...just like in FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE), the chemistry of adding Shirley MacLaine really changes the film. Together, they create an engaging, though not exactly believable pair. However, despite being tough to believe, the film is so much fun and written and acted so well, that you really don't mind.
The film itself was made in Mexico with many Mexican actors. This, combined with a somewhat restrained score by Ennio Morricone, make this movie look in many ways like a "Spaghetti Western", though it was financed and directed by Americans. For these reasons, the film is like a bridge from Eastwood's earlier westerns to his more recent ones.
About the only negative about the film other than how difficult it was to believe the plot at times, was that the "secret" about MacLaine's character didn't seem like that big of a surprise,...yet the supremely smart and savvy Eastwood had no idea! THIS was the hardest part to believe! However, the film is still great fun and well worth seeing. My wife, who hates westerns, actually watched it with me and enjoyed it so I guess this cowboy pic might have a wider audience than some westerns.
By the way, which mules, exactly, were they referring to?! This confusing title had me thinking that I must have missed something!
The film itself was made in Mexico with many Mexican actors. This, combined with a somewhat restrained score by Ennio Morricone, make this movie look in many ways like a "Spaghetti Western", though it was financed and directed by Americans. For these reasons, the film is like a bridge from Eastwood's earlier westerns to his more recent ones.
About the only negative about the film other than how difficult it was to believe the plot at times, was that the "secret" about MacLaine's character didn't seem like that big of a surprise,...yet the supremely smart and savvy Eastwood had no idea! THIS was the hardest part to believe! However, the film is still great fun and well worth seeing. My wife, who hates westerns, actually watched it with me and enjoyed it so I guess this cowboy pic might have a wider audience than some westerns.
By the way, which mules, exactly, were they referring to?! This confusing title had me thinking that I must have missed something!