Clint Eastwood. A name that evokes both the raw power of Inspector Harry or “the man with no name”, but also more contrasting roles, revealing a gentler, more refined side of his personality. Because if there is one thing that characterizes this famous director, it is that throughout his career he has always refused to be classified according to a certain genre or character type. While most stars only stay in the spotlight for a maximum of ten years, he has managed to establish himself for decades, creating his own legend over the years. Even today, at the age of 93, he continues to roam the film sets and for many film lovers, he remains a guarantee of a certain value in the world of American cinema.
However, nothing predestined Clint Eastwood to such success. After working assorted odd jobs, including night watchman and lifeguard, he began his acting career at age 24 in “Revenge of the Creature,” a Jack Arnold film in which he played a lab technician, then went on to take on the lead role. playing small roles in B series. So he would have to wait several years before finally being revealed to the public by “Rahide”, a Western series broadcast on television from 1959, in which he main character.
Opposite actors
If the 60s seemed to smile on Clint, this role as a dashing cowboy quickly bored him. To escape the image smoothed and polished by the rules of American cinema, the actor went to Europe, where he filmed “The Dollar Trilogy” with Sergio Leone. An Italian director with a fresh perspective who will encourage his new pony to leave the paths charted by Hollywood to explore new horizons.
So, back home, Clint Eastwood, determined to apply his teacher’s teachings, gave new impetus to his career by founding his own production company. An innovation also expressed in his collaboration with director Don Siegel , who will direct him specifically on the filming of “A Sheriff in New York” , but above all on the series “Thanh look up Harry”. A vigilante role stuck with him, and his completely uninhibited violence was constantly criticized by critics, but largely contributed to the actor’s already storied reputation. pellets.
The truth is that Inspector Harry is more than just a simple brute. Through his performance, Clint Eastwood tried to give this character a depth and an ambiguity that appealed to Americans, while also standing out for his desire to present through his films a less bland reality. than what Hollywood studios usually present.
Unexpected turning point
While America saw him as a tortured cop, Clint Eastwood still created a surprise in 1988, with the release of “Bird”. A biographical film about saxophonist Charlie Parker, it testifies to his sincere passion for jazz and marks a real turning point in his career. Because until now, this director and actor has only received relatively little appreciation from critics, but this time his work has received a lot of praise from them. Thereafter, all of his films would be greeted with the utmost interest by film festival juries, until their final enshrinement was achieved in 1992.
That year, Clint Eastwood competed for the Oscar with “Merciless,” a film whose script had been around for ten years and which earned him the award for Best Director. A distinction that would later allow him to completely free himself from the studio for which he worked.
He, who previously alternated between commissions and personal projects, will now have full freedom to make the films he wants, when he wants and with whom he wants. The absolute freedom he took advantage of produced “On the Road to Madison,” “Million Dollar Baby,” and “Gran Torino,” among his greatest masterpieces.