Richard Jewell (2019)
Finally caught up with
Richard Jewell last night. Clint Eastwood's directed and co-produced film is one of the best of 2019, and puts Eastwood back on track as one of our finest directors. The story of the slow witted security guard discovering a suspected terrorist bomb at the '96 Olympics, and promoting the evacuation of hundreds who would otherwise have been killed or injured when the bomb soon exploded, showcases how a rapacious wicked press, along with a predatory government agency goes all out to railroad the guard into being the perpetrator of the crime.
There were impressive and emotional performances from relative newcomer Paul Walter Hauser as Richard Jewell, the veteran Kathy Bates, and multi-talented Sam Rockwell. Jon Hamm did a good job as the FBI agent, but I thought he was slightly miscast. Olivia Wilde plays the conniving journalist, and Nina Arianda (
Goliath) fills out the strong cast as Rockwell's assistant.
Eastwood did his typical meticulous job of sticking to the facts of the case, and presenting the story in a logical manner. One of the difficulties in making a bio-crime-drama is how to make a fairly well known story interesting. Here it's done by focusing on the ferocity of the FBI and the deceitful press in their efforts to frame Jewell; and by portraying the emotion and frustration felt by Jewell's family and defense.
The film reportedly did poorly at the box office, presumably for the lack of a big name star. Ironically co-producers Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio had been slated to play Jewell and his attorney respectively. They dropped out as actors, but remained as co-producers. Still, Hauser turned in a full ranged performance with the excellence and sensitivity of a veteran actor. We'll be seeing more of him.
The film has not, and is not likely to be given much media positivity, since it shines the spotlight on a high-handed despotic press and government, while featuring the story of a simple southern white man with traditional values who is wronged and ruined by the establishment. But go see this picture. It's memorable.
Doc's rating: 8/10