Variety magazine compiled 10 typical roles of Clint Eastwood on the occasion of the actor’s return with the movie “Cry Macho”, released on September 17.
“Million Dollar Baby” (2004): Eastwood plays Frankie, a rough-and-tumble boxing trainer in the film that won four Oscars, which he directed. Initially, he portrayed the character in an obnoxious and unpleasant way to viewers. However, Frankie gradually reveals his true personality and creates a touching ending at the end of the film.
Variety writer Brent Lang commented that the role is complex and requires both talent and dedication from the actor. Eastwood showed his bravery on screen when excellently portraying Frankie’s psychological change and contributing to the ᴄʟɪᴍᴀx of the script.
“The Good, the Bad and the ᴜɢʟʏ” (1966): The western-themed film turned Eastwood into a symbol of cowboy movies. The script revolves around three gunmen and their journey to find the government’s lost treasure after the American Civil ᴡᴀʀ. Eastwood plays bounty hunter Blondi, associated with cigarettes and a poncho.
Trailer “The Good, the Bad and the ᴜɢʟʏ”. Video: Movieclips Classic Trailers Youtube
“Bridges of Madison County” (1995): Directed and starred by Clint Eastwood, playing photographer Robert Kincaid. He is involved in an affair with Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep), a married woman. Critics commented that the actor excellently expressed Kincaid’s loneliness when he always had to move and had no fixed destination in life.
“Unforgiven” (1992): The film directed and starring Eastwood is considered a classic of the cowboy film innovation movement. He plays Will Munny, a middle-aged farmer with a checkered past who once lived outside the law but is now in hiding. Contrary to the bold image of the male protagonists of old-style cowboy movies, Eastwood shows the character going through an internal sᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇ with past mistakes. He wants to rebuild his life and enjoy life with his children. The film won four Oscars out of nine nominations. Eastwood received two categories, best director and best film.
“The Beguiled” (1971): Eastwood plays John McBurney, a Union soldier during the American Civil ᴡᴀʀ. He was injured and was rescued by female student Martha Farnsworth. The treatment process at McBurney’s school for girls made many students fall in love. They tried to conquer him, but jealousy led to a ᴅɪsᴀsᴛʀᴏᴜs end. Critics commented that “The Beguiled” was not a commercial success but became proof of Eastwood’s diverse acting abilities.
“Escape From Alcatraz” (1979): The work is inspired by a real prison escape on Alcatraz Island, USA in 1962. Eastwood plays Frank Morris, a notoriously intelligent criminal. The film received a positive response from audiences and critics, and was ranked among the 100 most attractive works by the American Film Institute.
Trailer “Escape From Alcatraz”. Video: Movieclips Classic Trailers Youtube
Dirty Harry (1971) : A work inspired by the Zodiac serial ᴋɪʟʟer. Eastwood plays Inspector Harry Callahan of the San Francisco police department, who is famous for his crime-solving style that does not comply with the law. The success of the role helped Eastwood have a series of projects revolving around the character Harry for nearly two decades later. In 2012, the US National Library ranked the work as needing preservation because of its historical and artistic value.
“Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” (1973): Clint Eastwood plays a supporting role, a bank robbery expert mentoring a young thief (Jeff Bridges) to succeed. The work was successful at the box office and received many compliments from audiences and critics. Variety commented that Eastwood still shines despite giving up a lot of acting space to give Bridges the opportunity to show off his talent .
“Where Eagles Dare” (1968): The work is Eastwood’s attempt at the ᴡᴀʀ film genre. He plays paratrooper Morris Schaffer on a mission to break into a German castle to save a detained American general. Eastwood was praised for his difficult action scenes. “Where Eagles Dare” is ranked by critics as an electric masterpiece, marking many important milestones in filmmaking techniques in the world.
“Play Misty for Me” (1971): The film was Eastwood’s first time in the director’s chair. He plays Dave Garver, a music selector for a radio station in California (USA). One time, he flirted with Evelyn Draper (Jessica Walter) and fell in love. However, she gradually revealed that she was a crazy fan of Garver and had been following him for a long time. His life turns upside down after the appearance of his crazy lover. Draper gradually became jealous for no reason and wanted to completely possess Garver.