'The Mule': Clint Eastwood plays a broken man

Director Clint Eastwood of the film "American Sniper" arrives at the 87th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 22, 2015. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

Clint Eastwood is back, both as a director and an actor in the film “The Mule.” Eastwood plays an old, broken man who has to take a job in his 80s. The film is about economic hardships and the consequences of making a wrong decision in desperation, especially when that decision has something to do with drugs cartels.

The plot revolves around Eastwood’s character Earl Stone, who takes up a job after his business is foreclosed. The job seems simple enough at first. He is required to just drive some cargo around. It is only later that he will realise that this cargo includes drugs.

The trailer begins with a scene that appears to be the first time Earl discovers the truth about his job. The palpitation the old man feels should intensify when a cop comes over to offer help. Earl is sure to get caught as the cop opens the door to let his barking dog out. Will the dog sniff out the drugs?

Earl knows he has made a wrong choice. He may have been forced into that situation after facing financial troubles and the fact that people in his own family think of him as failure. A “terrible” father, and an equally bad husband- this is what he has to face on the family front.

After getting his finances in order, Earl wants to quit his lucrative job. But, the DEA have him on their radar and Agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper) is after him. Things may not work out as planned on the last drop off. The last job will bring Earl face-to-face with the man who is chasing him.

“The Mule” is a crime drama, but it has a thriller feel to it. Things could be the dark version of “Catch Me If You Can” that the fans have been waiting for.