In his recent films
Unforgiven, Mystic River, and Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood has revealed himself as a greater figure than moviegoers had imagined him to be. While he has been an exceptionally successful actor, creating iconic characters in two genres, Western and detective films, as a director, his recent films have reached a surprising power, depth, and maturity. The contributors to this volume revisit and examine his career as an actor and director, and are part of a growing critical evaluation of Eastwood’s films. A common thread, however, is their respect for his cinematic storytelling. They examine how he put his individual stamp on particular genres, while extending and enriching our understanding of his achievements.