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Set in the late 19th Century, Two Mules for Sister Sara follows Hogan (Clint Eastwood), an American mercenary that stumbles upon Sara (Shirley MacLaine), a nun that is assisting Mexican revolutionaries against French occupying soldiers. Realizing they have similar goals, they decide to work with each other despite their seemingly different backgrounds.
The film features Eastwood in his typical cowboy persona, and although he does a good job as the cool, sardonic Hogan, it isn't much of a stretch. MacLaine is also pretty good as Sara, as she shows to be more than a damsel-in-distress, but rather a convincing partner to Hogan. The supporting cast is comprised of mostly Mexican actors, which is praise-worthy for the time, even if none of them have particularly notable roles.
During the first half, the film is driven mostly by the banter between Hogan and Sara, as they get to know each other and learn to trust each other, while the second half is more action-oriented, as they finally reach the garrison they were targeting. Both halves work fairly well, although I was more interested in the first half back-and-forth between the two lead characters, as we see them handle their differences.
Despite those reservations, the film is fairly enjoyable and the characters are entertaining, even if it's only for the first half. However, once things shift, the action in the last act is well executed by director Don Siegel. The setpieces are decent and the action is well executed, even if there aren't many surprises. That is, beyond the one above, which I didn't see coming and I'm still not entirely sold on, but everybody's got a right to be a sucker once.
Grade:
TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA
(1970, Siegel)
A film with the number 2 (Two, Second, etc.) in its title
(1970, Siegel)
A film with the number 2 (Two, Second, etc.) in its title
"Everybody's got a right to be a sucker once."
Set in the late 19th Century, Two Mules for Sister Sara follows Hogan (Clint Eastwood), an American mercenary that stumbles upon Sara (Shirley MacLaine), a nun that is assisting Mexican revolutionaries against French occupying soldiers. Realizing they have similar goals, they decide to work with each other despite their seemingly different backgrounds.
The film features Eastwood in his typical cowboy persona, and although he does a good job as the cool, sardonic Hogan, it isn't much of a stretch. MacLaine is also pretty good as Sara, as she shows to be more than a damsel-in-distress, but rather a convincing partner to Hogan. The supporting cast is comprised of mostly Mexican actors, which is praise-worthy for the time, even if none of them have particularly notable roles.
During the first half, the film is driven mostly by the banter between Hogan and Sara, as they get to know each other and learn to trust each other, while the second half is more action-oriented, as they finally reach the garrison they were targeting. Both halves work fairly well, although I was more interested in the first half back-and-forth between the two lead characters, as we see them handle their differences.
WARNING: spoilers below
Maybe that's the reason why the revelation from the climax didn't sit that well with me. First, it eliminates all the contrasts and differences we've seen between these two characters, and strips the film of its complexities. Second, it mostly serves to set up the otherwise unnecessary romantic subplot for that final scene. Third, I don't think the twist holds up upon closer inspection if we were to analyze every interaction between the characters all through the film.
Maybe that's the reason why the revelation from the climax didn't sit that well with me. First, it eliminates all the contrasts and differences we've seen between these two characters, and strips the film of its complexities. Second, it mostly serves to set up the otherwise unnecessary romantic subplot for that final scene. Third, I don't think the twist holds up upon closer inspection if we were to analyze every interaction between the characters all through the film.
Despite those reservations, the film is fairly enjoyable and the characters are entertaining, even if it's only for the first half. However, once things shift, the action in the last act is well executed by director Don Siegel. The setpieces are decent and the action is well executed, even if there aren't many surprises. That is, beyond the one above, which I didn't see coming and I'm still not entirely sold on, but everybody's got a right to be a sucker once.
Grade: