“Richard Jewell”

“Richard Jewell” is the latest movie Clint Eastwood has done from true major events in recent history that made headlines. He recently did “15-17 to Paris” and “Sully” and I didn’t like either of those, but this movie seems to have a little more meat on it’s bone and made for a better story to watch. Richard Jewell is a socially awkward overweight security guard who lives with his mother, but he’s got a big heart, real ambition and he’s no dummy. He wants to do good, but is never taken seriously and has a checkered past only because he’s a little overeager at his past jobs. He’s played very well by Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya). When he saves hundreds at Centennial Park during the Olympics bombing, the FBI treats him as a suspect instead because he fits a profile of a hero bomber. This situation is made even worse by an over ambitious reporter. The story is very good and I enjoyed it. It does have a TV Movie feel to it though, which didn’t bother me, but I felt the film could’ve used a bit more drama. The movie is based on true events, obviously, but director Clint Eastwood, from what I read took many liberties with the facts. I also don’t believe that Olivia Wilde’s character Kathryn Scruggs is really that much of a lion as she is portrayed. That all being said, this is a pretty compelling movie driven by Hauser’s portrayal of a guy who truly got put through the ringer and got a raw deal. It’s worth seeing.

Rating (***1/2)