When viewing films that are based on true stories, we are faced with a person, a dilemma or situation whereas, after seeing the movie, we must decide whether it is true, false or non-committal. Usually they are stories that are based on something negative or catastrophic since that is what typically gets people's attention more. So now, we have "Richard Jewell" to sink our teeth into in which to examine whether a security guard is innocent or a pawn.
Based on true events, "Richard Jewell" is a story of what happens when what is reported as fact obscures the truth. "There is a bomb in Centennial Park. You have thirty minutes". The world is first introduced to Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) as the security guard who reports finding the device at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics--his report making him a hero whose swift actions saved countless lives. But, within days, the law-enforcement wannabe becomes the FBI's, namely Agent Tom Shaw (Jon Hamm), number one suspect, vilified by press, namely Kathy Scruggs (Olivia Wilde) and public alike with his life being ripped apart. Reaching out to independent, anti-establishment attorney Watson Bryant (Sam Rockwell) whom he knew for 10 years, he helps Richard fight for his freedom in a world where politics, gossip and money rule over truth and morality.
Others to round out the cast are Kathy Bates as Bobi Jewell, Richard's mother, Nina Arianda as Nadya Light, Watson's assistant, Ian Gomez as Agent Dan Bennett, Alex Collins as Max Green-APD, Robert Sargent as FBI/Bomb Squad and Wayne Duvall as Richard Rackleff.
This was grippingly and intensely directed by consummate veteran Clint Eastwood ("Play Misty for Me" '71, "High Plains Drifter" '73, "Sudden Impact" '83, "Unforgiven" '92, "True Crime" '99, "Blood Work" '02, "Mystic River" '03, "Million Dollar Baby" '04, "Gran Torino" '08, "Invictus" '09, "American Sniper" '14, "Sully" '16, "The 15:17 to Paris" '18, "The Mule" '18) plus others and TV. When many other directors, or others in the biz, have retired by now, Eastwood keeps on producing film after film--this filmmaker is 89 years-old, and he doesn't skip a beat. His work is as clean and fresh as ever, and more so as he ages. This film has characters that jump off the page whereas if someone didn't know about this bombing, these characters were as real as if someone was looking into someone's window. Eastwood is a fine actor, however directing is where he found his niche. He could possibly be nominated come Oscar time. It was incredibly well thought out by writer Billy Ray ("Color of Night" '94, "Volcano" '97, "Hart's War" '02, "Shattered Glass" '03, "Flightplan" '05, "Breach" '07, "The Hunger Games" '12, "Captain Phillips" '13, "Gemini Man" '19, "Terminator: Dark Fate" '19) plus others and TV, based on an article, "American Nightmare: The Ballad of Richard Jewell" by Marie Brenner. By his very resume, this writer is amazingly accomplished and obviously knows what he's doing. This gave the events in an extremely chronological sequence whereas, at the same time, was informative and entertaining when it comes to a cohesive and tight script. Kathy Bates as Richard's mother simply shined in this and could be looking at an Oscar nod herself. The film was riveting, intense and was quite the commentary on how the news media and the FBI can and does manipulate the public in conveying 'truth' when it's anything but.
This is a slick, well delineated expose of how something that seemingly is so simple can be turned around to a selfish end for certain people--this being certain people in the news media and certain ones in the FBI. Hopefully one day, our society can start thinking for themselves and stop listening to those that have their own agenda, lest we dig ourselves deeper. This is a film many people should see, because it's not a side of humanity we often see in this day and age.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: R 131mins.
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