All 8 Clint Eastwood Movies From the 1990s, Ranked

Clint Eastwood is one of the biggest names in the Western genre, but the films in which he acted and directed belong to additional niches of cinema outside of the Western. Each decade of Eastwood's career has brought new challenges and opportunities, and the 1990s saw some of his best work, as well as some films that audiences and critics would rather forget. However, each project is memorable thanks to Eastwood's longevity as an artist and filmmaker. While not all of Eastwood's films from the '90s are of the highest quality, they all have something fun to draw viewers in.

Although Clint Eastwood's films from the 1960s are some of his most famous, catapulting him to stardom, the 1990s saw a dramatic shift in the types of projects Eastwood took on. It was at this time that Eastwood began to experiment and reflect on his legacy, especially in westerns as a whole. The choices he would make in his work in the 21st century harken back to the style and narrative decisions of the 1990s. Eastwood stands in front of the camera in all of these films, wrestling with his role as a Western star and emerging director.

8

The Rookie (1990)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Charlie Sheen co-stars with Eastwood in The newbiea crime drama that sees Eastwood's seasoned character Nick train and test the titular rookie, Sheen's David. It's an over-the-top addition to Eastwood's filmography, as both Eastwood and Sheen are delivering over-the-top performances and playing up the tortured cop trope. Although it is a contemporary action film The newbie drew comparisons to the formulas and characters of Eastwood's Westerns, especially because Nick's archetype is very similar to the lone gunfighters that Eastwood typically portrays.

Considered one of Clint Eastwood's worst films, The newbie Makes up for its predictable story with some fun stunts and action sequences. However, they pale in comparison to the iconic gunfights that Eastwood is remembered for. While the late '80s and early '90s saw some interesting additions to the crime genre, The newbie it did not tread new territory nor look critically at its content. This is surprising, as many of the films Eastwood directed and starred in were interrogative and pushed the boundaries of film form.

7

Absolute Power (1997)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

In the second half of the decade, Eastwood directed and starred in Absolute power, another film with a mixed to negative reputation. Although the cast is incredible, with Gene Hackman, Laura Linney and Ed Harris starring alongside Eastwood, the complicated and unbelievable plot drew questions from critics and audiences alike. Eastwood's character, master thief Luther Whitney, is caught in a murder cover-up that implicates the President of the United States, played by Hackman.

The individual elements of Absolute power has promise, as interrogating what it means when a figure like the president abuses his personal and political power was a timely topic in the late 1990s. However, there are many additional plot points, with Whitney's life as a thief, relationship with his daughter and complicated morality, all obscuring the central themes and questions of Absolute power. Furthermore, the aging hero/bad guy discussions addressed here had already been brilliantly brought to life by Eastwood earlier in the decade.

6

True Crime (1999)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Questions of innocence and questions of the American judicial system are raised in True Crime, Eastwood's film based on the 1995 novel of the same name. Once again, Eastwood takes center stage as Steve, a journalist who takes it upon himself to prove the innocence of a man on death row when he realizes he has been wrongfully convicted. Isaiah Washington, better known as Grey's Anatomystars opposite Eastwood as Frank, the man in prison. Throughout the film, Eastwood successfully builds tension and leaves the viewer deeply concerned about Frank and his fate.

While the emotional impact of True Crime is undeniable, the story takes many dramatic turns and leans into melodrama rather than focusing on the deeper social issues at play in the narrative. Unfortunately, Eastwood isn't at his best as Steve, as Eastwood's take on the character pushes him into action star territory rather than staying true to his roots as a journalist. Having a journalist as the central investigator in a crime drama can work, but True Crime can't.

5

Blackheart White Hunter (1990)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

The metatextual film Blackheart White Hunter and a loose adaptation of accounts of what happened behind the scenes during the filming of The African Queen. Eastwood's character is an interpretation of John Huston, the famous director, and many of the other characters are fictionalizations of Hollywood icons who participated in the film. The African Queen. One of Humphrey Bogart's best films and a career-defining film for Katharine Hepburn, The African Queenwas shot on location in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (via AFI).

There are few things Hollywood likes more than a movie about making movies, but Blackheart White Hunter not only flatters the film industry and contributes to nostalgia for Hollywood's Golden Age. Instead of, Blackheart White Hunter makes some decent comments about American colonialism and how it influences the work of white directors who enter countries and spaces that are not their own. However Eastwood's direction surpasses his performance, he still dedicates himself fully to his main role in Blackheart White Hunter.

4

A Perfect World (1993)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Although Eastwood's performance is featured in A perfect world, Kevin Costner takes center stage as Butch, an escaped convict on the run who forms a bond with a boy he meets along the way. The complex Butch is something of an antihero, but as the story progresses, the audience comes to empathize with him and understand the cycles of abuse and systemic failure that led him down the path of crime. As Butch and Philip, the boy he kidnaps, go on the run, they help each other break free from the expectations the world has placed on them.

It's a nuanced and very ambitious film when compared to some of Eastwood's other works from this era. Contemporary reviews cited A perfect world as one of Eastwood's most underrated directorial achievements, as well as an unfairly overlooked performance from Costner. Although it's a crime drama, it's easy to see how Eastwood's experience in Westerns influenced the way he relates to problematic male figures in film. Butch isn't all that different from the rugged yet tender protagonists Eastwood brought to life.

3

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

The film, Madison County Bridgesis based on the novel of the same name and never pretends to be less sentimental and unabashedly romantic than it is. This is what allows him to remain well today. Madison County Bridges does not mock its own nature, relying instead on sincere performances and narratives. Meryl Streep, as always, gives a stellar performance as Francesca alongside Robert de Eastwood. Their passionate love story is quite emotional, but there's some genuine depth at work Madison County Bridges​​​​​​​ too.

Although Eastwood's characters have love interests in many of his films, few of them genuinely fall in love like Robert. Madison County Bridges. More than anything, The story is about how a brief encounter can change the course of a person's life and how even short connections can be meaningful. Although it would be easy to discount Madison County Bridges compared to Eastwood's more epic works, it's an enjoyable film that demonstrates his depth of scope. ​​​​​​​

2

In the Line of Fire (1993)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

In the Line of Fire is one of the few films Eastwood didn't direct and also star in during the 1990s, but Wolfgang Petersen directs the project expertly. John Malkovich has great chemistry with Eastwood and is considered a highlight of the project. A political thriller, In the Line of Fireis in conversation with the story of the JFK assassination and hits all the points a tense mystery should. Although there is a lot of breathtaking action and tension, In the Line of Fire It doesn't just rely on its big moments to carry the story.

Performing well at the box office and earning a few Oscar nominations, In the Line of Fire was one of the most commercially viable projects Eastwood was a part of in the '90s. It is deliberately crafted and appeals to a broad audience base, addressing the anxieties and mistrust of government that plagued the US in the second half of the 20th century. Layered and intricate, each character in In the Line of Fire delivers an intriguing performance, drawing the viewer into the mysteries at the heart of the narrative.

1

Unforgiven (1992)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Unforgivable may have been released in the early 1990s, but this film is widely considered one of the best westerns of his career. Years after Eastwood became a household name thanks to his iconic Spaghetti Western and established himself as one of the genre's top stars, he returned to the Western with a new perspective. In the years since his earliest work, the United States has changed, as has the country's relationship to the mythic idea of ​​the West. and the bandits who populated this rugged piece of history.

Expertly paying homage to the best parts of the genre while unpacking what it means to grow old in Hollywood and the West, Unforgivable sees Eastwood take on an iteration of himself as aging gunslinger Will Munny. It's not just Eastwood who does Unforgivable memorable, as Gene Hackman's turn as Little Bill Daggett cements him as the best movie villain in a Clint Eastwood western. From its incredible action to its thought-provoking questions about the evolving role of the Western in cinema, Unforgivable cemented Clint Eastwood like a single star.