THE MULE (2018) | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2023

Author: Joseph Anthraper

The Christian belief is one filled with paradoxes even at its very foundation – the core of our faith is that we believe in one God, but also that this one God is a Trinity. When God became man in Jesus, his teachings were also far from ‘ordinary’ or ‘linear,’ – viz. last shall be first, and the first last (Matthew 20:16); those who want to save their life shall lose it (Mark 8:35); whoever wants to be first must be last and servant of all (Mark 9:35). Remember the parable of the labourers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)? Those labourers who were hired at five o’clock in the evening received the same wages for their one hour of work –the same as those who had worked all day, bearing the burden of the day and the scorching heat. And to those of us wondering at the justice (or the lack of it) here, the master of the vineyard says, I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you… Are you envious because I am generous? As we still wonder and reason, we hear the gentle whisper of the Spirit confirming this truth about God, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Yes, we concur – so it ought to be.

The Mule is a 2018 movie produced and directed by Clint Eastwood based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran who became a drug courier for the Sinaloa Cartel. Clint Eastwood stars as Earl Stone, a Korean war veteran and horticulturist – a man who is in love with his work, flowers and most importantly, himself. He has little time for his family amidst his other more ‘important’ engagements, and at the beginning of the movie we see how in 2005, with his thriving and successful flower farming business and at the height of his fame, he intentionally and lightly chooses to skip his daughter’s wedding in order to receive an award at his local horticulture club.

Fast forward to 2017 – Earl Stone is forced out of his farm as his business has gone bankrupt in an age where everything has gone online; he is divorced, and his daughter hasn’t spoken to him after he missed her wedding. With nowhere to go he goes to the wedding rehearsal of his grand-daughter Ginny, only to create a scene there when his ex-wife confronts him. However, one of the guests gives him a contact number and tells him that there are people out there who will pay Earl, just to drive across the country. Although initially dismissive of the suggestion, because of his desperate situation Earl accepts the offer just for once and begins his drive as a drug mule transporting cocaine across Illinois. And lo and behold, he is paid handsomely for the successful task completion, getting enough and more money to tide over his immediate problems.

Soon though, more and more monetary needs arise – and Earl being the person he is, there is nothing he loves more than being the centre of attention – and that means spending more and more money. The need for more easy money – of course all for legitimate needs – to fund his grand-daughters education, sponsor her wedding, renovate the local VFW club, and many more – lures him to be the mule a second, third, fourth time and it just continues one after the other. Because of his race, age and impeccable driving record, Earl doesn’t fit the usual portrait of a drug mule and thus is trusted more and more with bigger loads by the cartel. Laton, the cartel boss, initially asks his trusted henchman Julio to follow Earl, but later even flies Earl to Mexico to celebrate the huge success he has brought to the business with his flawless transporting of tens of hundreds of kilos of cocaine. Shortly afterwards though, Laton is killed by his own men and Gustavo becomes the new drug lord – a man who is ruthless and much less forgiving than Laton, who wants Earl and Julio to stick to pre-determined routes and timelines.

Meanwhile, Special Agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper) joins the Chicago Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and along with Agent Trevino is tasked with busting the drug cartels operations in Chicago. To aid them and get insider information, they recruit an informant from inside the cartel, who tells them about the Tata (grandfather), the best mule who is entrusted with transporting hundreds of kilos of drugs. Slowly working through the information, they decide on how and where to intercept the latest drug delivery by Tata. Bates and his team leak the motel where the mule is staying, but failing to suspect Earl arrests another man who fits the stereotype. Earl continues his journey but gets a call from Ginny saying that his ex-wife is on the verge of death and pleads him to come home to say his final farewell. With both Gustavo and Bates breathing down his neck, Earl has a choice to make – whether to continue with the delivery of the load or to risk his life, social status and freedom to once do the right thing and prioritise his relationships!

Clint Eastwood is brilliant in his portrayal of Earl Stone, the 80-year-old man – narcissistic, privileged, bit of a racist, and yet witty, courageous, and showing strands of goodness. Everyone around him gives him a second chance though he deserves none – and the worst part is that he doesn’t even realise it. The lure of status, money and sex is far too much for him to say no to, and therein lies the great temptation for all of us – we too have our legitimate needs that sin often taps into and for us also, many a time it is just this once and never again. But where sin abounds, grace abounds more – and where man is willing to take a step towards him, we witness for the umpteenth time the paradox of the God who leaves the ninety-nine to seek and save the lost one.