Review: Clint Eastwood delivers a great film in ‘Richard Jewell’ (Includes first-hand account)

While the American justice system is supposed to be built on the idea that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, it often doesn’t work that way. For one, law enforcement can become so focused on a single suspect, they view all the evidence through a lens of bias. Second, many suspects are often tried by the media and public opinion before they even step foot in a courtroom. Finally, if it turns out the prime suspect is innocent, it’s often decided only after their reputation has suffered irreparable damage. For Richard Jewell, his 15 minutes of fame turns into a never-ending nightmare overnight in this true story.

Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) spent most of his life trying to join law enforcement. As he laboured to realize his dream, he worked as a supply clerk where he met a lawyer named Watson Bryant (Sam Rockwell). Richard then moved on to be a discredited security guard and police officer. However, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta offers a new opportunity for him to regain some prestige. Working security at an outdoor concert venue, Richard spots an abandoned backpack. When hundreds avoid injury after the suspicious package explodes, Richard is a hero… and then he becomes the investigation’s number one suspect.

Richard’s desire to please the people around him and fit in doesn’t really match his law enforcement ambitions. On the other hand, his strict adherence to the rules supersedes his nice guy inclinations and results in very polite requests for people to comply. However, these personality traits also fit the profile of a lone bomber and his deference for authority certainly doesn’t help his case. Luckily, Watson knows how to play hardball and has enough distrust of “the man” for both of them. Unfortunately, getting Richard to stop helping the FBI build a case against him is a difficult task.

Over the last couple of years, Hauser has been making an impression on audiences with these odd characters who are socially awkward and entangled in extraordinary situations. Even though the personalities he’s portrayed haven’t varied much, he’s certainly found a niche that works. Rockwell is terrific as Richard’s protector, while also claiming most of the humorous lines. Jon Hamm is a great adversary, leading the investigation and repeatedly tricking Richard into providing evidence. Yet, in spite of her lesser role, Kathy Bates consistently shines as Richard’s mother, Bobi. On the flipside, Olivia Wilde‘s portrayal of reporter Kathy Scruggs, who broke the story about the FBI’s investigation into Richard, seems a bit over-the-top as they attempt to place additional blame on the media.

Director Clint Eastwood‘s depiction of Richard’s story is unquestionably siding with the accused, but it’s still a fascinating story with captivating characters who draw in viewers. Of course, as is typically the case with the filmmaker, the movie runs a little over two hours and is likely a bit longer than is necessary, but it’s not that noticeable.

Don’t miss incredible performances from an all-star cast in #RichardJewell. Get tickets: pic.twitter.com/f28joIHlFn

— Richard Jewell (@RJewellFilm) December 6, 2019

Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell and Jon Hamm

Similar Posts

  • ‘The Boy Next Door’ quickly loses its appeal (Includes first-hand account)

    There are people that measure the quality of a neighbourhood based on the friendliness of its community. Morning hellos, block parties, barbecues and play dates paint a picture perfect scene. But considering most violent crimes are committed by someone you know, perhaps sociability isn’t always a good thing. In The Boy Next Door, a woman’s dinner offer invites much more than she intended.

  • Review: ‘The Quake’ combines predictability with some added intensity (Includes first-hand account)

    Sequels in the disaster movie genre are infrequent since the same region being hit by a comparable catastrophe or the same person being caught in another calamity is a hard sell for audiences. Moreover, unrelated movies have enough trouble not duplicating each other’s pictures so the prospect of the same team trying to make two distinct films in this category is discouraging. With so many obstacles with which to contend, it’s not surprising so few filmmakers attempt a follow-up to even successful blockbusters. Nonetheless, Norwegian writers John Kåre Raake and Harald Rosenløw-Eeg have opted to put the protagonist from The Wave at the centre of another impending natural disaster in The Quake.

  • Review: ‘Batman v Superman’ is flawed in the most predictable ways (Includes first-hand account)

    Over the years there have been endless matches hypothesized between comic book characters, many of which have been played out in the panels. Where would the fight take place? What advantages would they have? And finally, who would win? Although Batman and Superman are on the same side of the fight against evil, they are fundamentally different types of heroes and have had many disagreements over the years. These conflicts have been worked out between the pages, but they’ve never been portrayed on the big screen — until now. With the proliferation of CGI effects and the popularity of superhero films, perhaps it’s the right time for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

  • Review: ‘Shaun the Sheep the Movie’ doesn’t need to say a thing (Includes first-hand account)

    Just because a select group of companies have a monopoly on something doesn’t mean there isn’t an alternative provider offering a quality product in the same field — it’s just more difficult for their voices to be heard over the din. When it comes to animated movies, there are three studios that are likely first-of-mind and Aardman Animations is not one of them. Yet the British company has produced quality, award-winning entertainment for decades, most notably creating the lovable duo Wallace and Gromit. The company is once again entering feature-length territory with another popular character in Shaun the Sheep the Movie.