“The Mule” (*** out of four) was a flavorful crime melodrama inspired by the true story of a former WWII veteran turned horticulturist (Clint Eastwood) who became “a mule”, a transporter for the Mexican drug cartel in Illinois, while several federal law enforcement agents (Bradley Cooper, Michael Cena, Lawrence Fishburne) are on his trail and his perplexed ex-wife and daughter (Dianne Wiest and Allison Eastwood) wonder where he’s been getting his extra cash. A perfect role for Eastwood who at nearly 90 still holds and commands the screen with his surly charisma and directs his story eloquently and effortlessly as it weaves suspense, action, and character development. Eastwood’s first starring role since 2012 and his first starring/directing effort in a decade.