Richard Jewell movie review - Aussieboyreviews

IS RICHARD JEWELL AN ENTERTAINING TRUE STORY ON A FALSE ACCUSATION?

Paul Walter Hauser’s acting is exceptional in Richard Jewell, a true story about a security guard who was falsely accused of planting a bomb. The film is directed by Clint Eastwood and is entertaining, strong and effective.

Storyline

Security guard Richard Jewell is hailed as a hero after alerting the police about a bomb attack and saving many lives at the Centennial Olympic Park in 1996. However, he becomes targeted by the media and FBI when he becomes a prime suspect in the case.

Movie Images

Movie details

Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, Ian Gomez
Writer: Billy Ray
Release Date (Australia): 13 February 2020
Runtime: 131 minutes/2h 11m
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime
Country: USA
Language: English

CONTENT GUIDE (warning: May contain spoilers)

Themes (M)

The film contains themes of terrorism and false accusation in the form of a security guard being falsely accused of planting a bomb that exploded and injured several people.

Violence (M)

The bloody injuries of people who were injured by a bomb explosion are depicted.

Coarse Language (M)

The film contains coarse language including use of the words “f**k”, “s**t”, “bitch”, “ass”, “bastard”, “prick”, “damn” and “hell”.

Sex (M)

The film contains sexual references in the form of a woman attempting to seduce a man and use of the word “f**k” in a sexual context.

mpaa rating

R (for language including some sexual references, and brief bloody images)

Aussie boy's thoughts

An exceptionally entertaining, remarkably-acted and magnificently-directed true story drama on how a false accusation by the government and media can destroy a person’s life, with the reenacted set being perfectly captured by talented director Clint Eastwood. With most of his films, it’s common that you can heavily point out at how remarkable the direction, camerawork and cinematography is, as it’s just as immaculate throughout this biography movie. However, all the other elements in the movie, from the story to the performances, actually distract you from Eastwood’s fine work.

The film revolves around security guard Richard Jewell being labeled as a hero when he saves many lives from a bomb attack, until the government and media suddenly come to suspect him of planting the bomb for his own fame. And throughout the rest of the film, he is facing the harsh consequences of the false accusation while trying to prove himself innocent. Movies depicting segments of people’s lives or of true history can often get quite boring and very slow at times. That’s not the case with Richard Jewell. It’s extremely entertaining, riveting and even angering at times.

Paul Walter Hauser is astonishing as the main character, Richard Jewell; he knows how to act as a man frustrated by the circumstances he is in and looking at the screenwriting, he’s also written very well. Kathy Bates’ supporting character in the film is also extremely convincing and powerful, alongside Sam Rockwell being just as impeccable playing a frustrated attorney. The film only real big issue is the performance and the writing for when it comes to Kathy Scruggs, performed by Olivia Wilde, who seems like too much of a cheesy or unrealistic villain you’d see in a kids’ movie. But Eastwood’s, the cast’s and the crew’s work, as well as the entertainment level of the film, easily overshadow all of this.

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