Richard Jewell

I recommended this movie to Matek and he really enjoyed it. Face has been hammed!

I was working in Atlanta for a broadcaster the night of the Atlanta bombing at the Olympics so remember quite a lot of the immediate aftermath and the enormous speculation into what had actually happened and of the expectations put on law enforcement to convince not just the USA but the rest of the world that the Games were safe. This film is an authentic take on these days with a strong performance from Paul Walter Hauser as the security guard who found the bomb only to be later accused of having planted it in the first place. Sam Rockwell is great as the attorney determined not to cave in to the pressure and ensure his client gets a fair hearing as the authorities appear determined to scapegoat him. Kathy Bates plays his mum strongly, too. It's far too long, though - and at times it sags in the middle - it is virtually impossible to sustain the level of intense dialogue. It's a good film, but not a great film.

This is an excellent film from Clint Eastwood! Firstly, what a terrific performance from Paul Walter Hauser! He plays lead perfectly, as he makes it impossible not to root for the titular character - which is admittedly a given due to the plot, but Hauser adds an extra level of believability to proceedings. I felt every intended emotion. Sam Rockwell does very good behind Hauser, as do Kathy Bates and Olivia Wilde. Jon Hamm is good, too, as he returns to an Eastwood flick, having made his film debut in the latter's 'Space Cowboys' nineteen years prior. Portraying a messed up true event, 'Richard Jewell' is a film that I'd most definitely suggest you check out. 9/10 from me.