Cry Macho

***Cry Macho*** is a 2021 American neo-Western drama film released by Warner Bros Pictures and directed and produced by Clint Eastwood. The screenplay by Nick Schenk and the late N. Richard Nash is based on Nash's 1975 novel of the same name. The plot follows a former rodeo star (Eastwood) who is hired to reunite a young boy (Eduardo Minett) in Mexico with his father (Dwight Yoakam) in the United States.

Attempts to adapt the novel into a feature film have featured a variety of actors in negotiations to star. In 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger was cast in the lead role but production was canceled after a scandal. In 2020, it was announced Eastwood would create an adaptation with Albert S. Ruddy, Tim Moore, and Jessica Meier attached as producers. Filming took place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic for two months in New Mexico with cinematographer Ben Davis. During post-production, the score was composed by Mark Mancina.

*Cry Macho* was released on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray in the United States and Canada on December 7, 2021 by Studio Distribution Services (the home media distribution joint venture between Warner Bros Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment), and only on the DVD format in the United Kingdom and Ireland on February 21, 2022 by Warner Bros Home Entertainment.

## Images

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## Storyline

### Plot

A one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.

### Genres

* Drama
* Western

### Home Media Rating

* **PG** (Canada)
* **12** (Ireland)
* **12** (UK)
* **PG-13** (US)

## Details

### Home Media Release Dates

* December 7, 2021 (Canada) (DVD / Blu-Ray / 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray)
* December 7, 2021 (US) (DVD / Blu-Ray / 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray)
* February 21, 2022 (UK) (DVD)
* February 21, 2022 (Ireland) (DVD)

## Home Media Openings

* Opening to *Cry Macho* US Blu-Ray (2021)

## Company Credits

### Production Companies

* Warner Bros Pictures
* Malpaso Productions
* Ruddy Productions

### Distributors

* Studio Distribution Services (2021) (Canada) (DVD / Blu-Ray / 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray)
* Studio Distribution Services (2021) (US) (DVD / Blu-Ray / 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray)
* Warner Bros Home Entertainment (2022) (UK) (DVD)
* Warner Bros Home Entertainment (2022) (Ireland) (DVD)

## Trivia

* N. Richard Nash originally wrote the novel the film is based on as a screenplay. In the 1970s, the script was rejected twice by 20th Century Fox. As a result, he reworked the material into a novel and published it as *Cry Macho* on June 11, 1975. After receiving positive reviews for the novel, Nash pitched the screenplay again without changing a word and successfully sold it to a studio.
* Producer Albert S. Ruddy spent decades trying to adapt the novel into a feature film. In 1988, Ruddy gave Clint Eastwood the opportunity to star but the actor declined while also suggesting Robert Mitchum for the lead role. In 1991, filming began in Mexico with Roy Scheider as the lead but production was never completed. Following failed attempts with Burt Lancaster and Pierce Brosnan, Arnold Schwarzenegger was given the option in 2003 of starring in either a *Westworld* remake or a *Cry Macho* adaptation. After picking the latter, Schwarzenegger was advised by Ruddy to put the project on hold when he was elected the governor of California. In 2011, he announced he would star in *Cry Macho*, with filming set to begin in New Mexico and Brad Furman attached to direct. However, the project was canceled shortly after Schwarzenegger's divorce with Maria Shriver, following a scandal revealing he had fathered a son a decade earlier with an employee in their household.
* In October 2020, Warner Bros Pictures announced Eastwood would produce, direct, and star in an adaptation of the novel. The screenplay included additional contributions by Nick Schenk, who previously worked with Eastwood on *Gran Torino* (2008) and *The Mule* (2018). Principal photography began on November 4, 2020, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with cinematographer Ben Davis. Filming in the state moved to Socorro County on November 16th and concluded on November 30th. In December, filming took place in Belen, New Mexico, with the Montaño's Family Restaurant there being turned into a cafe for the shoot. Crew members had to follow a variety of safety protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, like social distancing, wearing masks, and being tested for the virus on a daily basis. The film was shot on a $33 million budget.
* Filming concluded on December 15, 2020, a day ahead of schedule. The rest of the cast was revealed later that month. According to the New Mexico State Film Office, the production employed 250 crew members, 10 supporting cast members, and over 600 background extras from New Mexico. Filming locations included the counties of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Sierra, and Valencia. Eastwood recalled rehiring a young cast member who had received a false positive for the coronavirus. He mentioned the many difficulties of filming scenes with Macho, the rooster in the film, who was played by 11 birds. The film features him riding a horse, an activity he last did on film for *Unforgiven* in 1992, and said that the wrangler was worried. When asked about acting at the age of 90 and rejecting the role in 1988, Eastwood said, "I always thought I'd go back and look at that. It was something I had to grow into. One day, I just felt it was time to revisit it. It's fun when something's your age, when you don't have to work at being older." During post-production, Joel and David Cox edited the film and Mark Mancina composed the score. A soundtrack album was released by WaterTower Music on September 10, 2021, and features an original song titled "Find a New Home" written by Mancina and performed by Will Banister.
* Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav criticized the studio's decision to finance the film. Warner Bros. executives allegedly said that though they knew the film was unlikely to turn a profit, they felt indebted to Eastwood because of his decades-long relationship with the studio and his consistent ability to deliver films under budget and on time.