The Mule (2018)

About a month ago I had a protracted travel day and watched this on a plane en route from Chicago to Los Angeles, which somehow seemed the perfect venue in which to watch Clint Eastwood's latest movie.  Much like Robert Redford's last effort, is based on the incredible true story of an octogenarian.  This is one who became an unlikely drug mule, transporting staggering amounts of cocaine for a major Mexican drug cartel.  He is a cranky old man, not much liked by his family because it seems to be true that he in fact prioritized flowers over family, and cash strapped.  He meets his new employer at a BBQ for the wedding party of his daughter's upcoming nuptials.  One of the bridesmaid's dates recruits him based on his unobtrusive truck and his spotless driving record to be their latest transportation method.  Trying to stop him is the ATF, with solid performances from both Laurence Fishburn and Bradley Cooper, but he is hard to catch because he is so unpredictable.  The first drug lord understands that this is his super power and lets him be, but when the new drug lord in town threatens and intimidates him, things start to spiral downward.  It is a good story, with lots of good driving turns, and grappling with things Eastwood is known for, namely regret, forgiveness, and the inescapable reality of mortality.