Read Positive User Reviews for Richard Jewell

8

Brent_MarchantDec 13, 2019

This suspenseful, well-acted and well-directed biopic of an innocent man accused of a heinous crime hits most of the right notes save for one very big one -- the truth of how the reporter who broke the story actually got her information. ThisThis suspenseful, well-acted and well-directed biopic of an innocent man accused of a heinous crime hits most of the right notes save for one very big one -- the truth of how the reporter who broke the story actually got her information. This controversial story thread, which has drawn angry criticism from those who knew the journalist, seems to linger somewhere between possible truth and outright fiction, an element that undermines an otherwise-fine film and the principal point it's trying to make. However, even if this aspect of the film is a glaring error, there's still plenty to like in director Clint Eastwood's work, especially when it comes to the excellent performances of its superb ensemble, including Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde. Granted, this one may have to be taken with a hefty grain of salt, but the picture's many strengths more than outweigh its very large shortcoming, which, had it been handled differently, would have made this an otherwise truly great film.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

Davrosdaleks1Dec 18, 2019

This film is based on the story of Richard Jewell, a security guard at the Centennial Olympic Park who during a concert discovered a suspicious bag with a bomb, which resulted in an evacuation. Though it wasn't completed before the bomb blew,This film is based on the story of Richard Jewell, a security guard at the Centennial Olympic Park who during a concert discovered a suspicious bag with a bomb, which resulted in an evacuation. Though it wasn't completed before the bomb blew, the evacuation at least lessened the number of casualties. Unfortunately for Jewell, he fit the criminal profile. The FBI initially tried to trick him when being interviewed and their suspicions were leaked to the press, which caused him to be blamed by the media though there were no charges. The film follows Jewell's sad tale and how he and his lawyer fought it. This was a really well made film.

This is a gripping, well-written tale. This is largely a film about dealing with the law and media, which has a lot of scenes of just talking, plus it runs at two hours and eleven minutes. Yet, the movie never feels slow. The setup to the finding of the bomb is just excellently paced and leaves you hooked. The dialogue is really good; for a movie about a serious subject it lightens the film with a little bit of dry humor.

Casting is really good in this. The main triumvirate of Paul Walter Hauser as Jewell, Kathy Bates as his mother, and Sam Rockwell as his lawyer all work so well together.

Now, I know a lot of critics have already mentioned this, but it's difficult not to address. The reporter Kathy Scruggs (Olivia Wilde), who first reported on Jewell is portrayed as super insensitive and obsessed with success over anything and everything else. From what I've read, the late Scruggs' colleagues disagree with her portrayal. It's a little uncomfortable that a film about the dangers of the media being used to vilify someone, is itself doing the same thing. (To her credit, Wilde does a good job selling the role she is given.)

The Scruggs thing aside, I highly recommend this. It's especially impressive considering that director Clint Eastwood is 89. The movie hasn't been doing great in the box office right now and that is a shame.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

DarthNihilusDec 16, 2019

Very solid film, the direction was good and the acting was spot on. As someone who was alive in '96 but too young to have remembered this story, it was good to see it fleshed out on the big screen. Richard Jewell deserved to have his storyVery solid film, the direction was good and the acting was spot on. As someone who was alive in '96 but too young to have remembered this story, it was good to see it fleshed out on the big screen. Richard Jewell deserved to have his story told in the right way and I believe this film did him right. A good film is one that stays in your mind after you leave your seat and this film definitely had that effect on me. I felt compelled to research the bombing in Centennial Park and the unfair media coverage that Jewell received. Clint Eastwood brought his A game for this film and it shows. Highly recommend to anyone that likes a good drama based on historical events.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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10

qDec 13, 2019

"Richard Jewell" was, by far, the finest movie I saw in 2019. The actors who portrayed Jewell, his attorney, and his mother were excellent; and the story of the Olympic Park bombing and its aftermath was told in an absolutely riveting"Richard Jewell" was, by far, the finest movie I saw in 2019. The actors who portrayed Jewell, his attorney, and his mother were excellent; and the story of the Olympic Park bombing and its aftermath was told in an absolutely riveting manner. There was applause in the theater at the conclusion of the movie, which, in my experience, is rare. The content of the movie is something every American needs to see and understand. Many people are dismissive of the gross violations of civil rights, the multiple transgressions of policy, the unethical and illegal investigative practices, and the extreme prejudice that were revealed recently in Inspector General Horowitz’s detailed report concerning the despicable abuse of our FISA courts, which were established primarily to prevent another 9/11, which was a major systemic failure of our government to protect us. They cannot believe our government would do such things.

"Richard Jewell" is a reminder of the perfidy of federal law enforcement and the fact that any person who works for a federal agency should be approached with the utmost skepticism and with fifth amendment rights at the ready.

In the case of Richard Jewell, gross misconduct on the part of both the federal government and the media caused a man who had conducted himself heroically and who had saved countless lives to be smeared for months. We Americans would like to believe that the sordid tale was a one-off, but it has been repeated many times since the Olympic Park bombing.

"Richard Jewell" is both an artistic triumph and a much-needed wakeup call for Americans who, plagued with either naivete or ignorance, are far too willing to trust both the government and the media.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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10

samanhanksDec 13, 2019

This is the BEST picture of 2019. Eastwood truly delivers! This film has brought Eastwood back to the way he once made movies. The hero who becomes the villain who becomes the hero again. Richard Jewell was falsely accused of planting a bombThis is the BEST picture of 2019. Eastwood truly delivers! This film has brought Eastwood back to the way he once made movies. The hero who becomes the villain who becomes the hero again. Richard Jewell was falsely accused of planting a bomb that they then allowed the mainstream media to ruin this mans life when they could've stopped it at any time. They needed a scapegoat and used him because they couldn't admit they couldn't catch the real bomber. This movie delivers raw emotion, will absolutely draw you in and leave you wanting for watch it again and again.… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

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9

GeorgeMcFlyDec 14, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. We all know how this ends, since it was real life, but what you don’t get to see from the real life drama is the behind the scenes real life emotions portrayed by the actors of this film. Clint Eastwood has done such a good job of directing the actors that you might actually think at first this guy, Richard Jewell, might just have had the stereotype or personality profile to have done this crime. It delivers the truth, that being, that the freedom of the press to deliver news, while important, does not outweigh the need of the public to receive factual evidence. Hollywood is responsible for telling stories and the media is responsible to report facts, not opinion or sensationalized stories. It seems the two have been flipped when you watch this movie. The one thing I personally didn’t like was that the reporter responsible for this mess, that slept her way to the front page, was later remorseful for what she had done. Her personality on screen to that point was die-hard, ruthless, do-anything-I-can-for-a-story type. I have a hard time believing that someone like that could change suddenly, as she is portrayed to have emotions and tears of sadness for her ill-reported story during the scene where Bobbi Jewell pleads for her sons exoneration by our president. Of course, I tend to believe that Clint has directed truth, so I’ll give him the credit that he lived up to the truth in every scene and didn’t sugarcoat any detail. That was the point of this movie. Not to allow abuses of power. I think he did a great job of exposing the real abuses of power that exist even more readily around us today. Freedom is not free. It costs lives of men on battlefields and the diligence of free citizens to uphold truth in the face of mountains of pressure to go with the flow. Responsible reporting of facts is the responsibility of our press to the public. This “story” says that more clearly than the media is responsible to do.
Maybe younger people won’t care to see this movie because they don’t remember that time, or it moves too slowly, or it isn’t quick and easy like their life today, but they should. Society can only move forward if we understand our past and harness the lessons it teaches us. This “story” tells the truth of a situation that plagues us today and should be a lesson to teach us how to be better people going forward. Let your learning come from time spent examining facts, not fiction.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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10

FlickAsbolusDec 21, 2019

Excellent film. Really gives you the feeling that you know Richard Jewell. The film does an excellent job of exposing the abuses of the media and the FBI -- and how they destroyed one man's life -- someone who should have been viewed as aExcellent film. Really gives you the feeling that you know Richard Jewell. The film does an excellent job of exposing the abuses of the media and the FBI -- and how they destroyed one man's life -- someone who should have been viewed as a hero. Clint Eastwood is a terrific storyteller.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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8

Compi24Dec 27, 2019

It is a tragic, tragic thing to see an individual's life virtually destroyed by the media and government in favor of expediency and convenience. It is a similarly tragic thing to see a film based on that individual's life commit an act that'sIt is a tragic, tragic thing to see an individual's life virtually destroyed by the media and government in favor of expediency and convenience. It is a similarly tragic thing to see a film based on that individual's life commit an act that's in the very same spirit of what it's trying to decry. For one, this act (and, yes, I am referring to the movie's questionable portrayal of certain journalists) of rhetorical malfeasance was completely avoidable. Furthermore, it's a relatively small element occurring within a movie that's still largely effective and memorable. And the final kicker is thus -- it's a sin that was committed by a respected screenwriter, who once wrote and directed a movie about the importance of integrity and honesty in storytelling (see Billy Ray's "Shattered Glass"). Why? Why was this call necessary? Do these people realize what they undid in employing this minuscule, unnecessary little audible they called in? I wring my hands not only because "Richard Jewell" is a genuinely great film in every other regard, but because the true story at the center is so very important. "Frustrating" is a word I've thrown out time and time again this year, using it to describe a number of movies that were just on the cusp of being great, but ultimately erred into the realms of being only "ight." Well, "Richard Jewell" is still great. But, what it lost in its faulty decision-making was a chance at being one of my favorite movies of the year.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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7

theredskyDec 24, 2019

I haven’t seen a lot of Clint Eastwood films but I would say this is probably his best film. What really holds this film up from being mostly mediocre is the performances. A majority of the actors do a pretty great job with Sam Rockwell andI haven’t seen a lot of Clint Eastwood films but I would say this is probably his best film. What really holds this film up from being mostly mediocre is the performances. A majority of the actors do a pretty great job with Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates stealing the show. Rockwell brings this attorney with a temper and emotion for his old friend to life while Kathy Bates brings a loving mother figure for Richard with probably the most powerful scene and performance in the entire film. This is Paul Walter Hauser’s first major leading role in a film and I felt he did a pretty great job. He was able to show a lot of emotion with just his body movements. Olivia Wilde and Jon Hamm did a good job but just weren’t as good as the rest of the cast. The film’s message is very poignant in our culture today. The film’s central message is that we need to take news from ANY source with a grain of salt because they could be totally inaccurate or blown out of proportion to make someone look like a monster. While portions of the film were generally uninteresting, there were a couple of scenes I thought were really well put together and executed. One such scene would be the actual bombing scene in the beginning of the film. The sequence was incredibly tense because you know the bomb is about to go off but you don’t know when. There is an interview sequence with Richard Jewell’s mother and it was my favorite scene in the film. Kathy Bates breaking down with everyone around her starting to realize that Jewell may be innocent was pretty powerful. The final scene I really liked was a sequence close to the end of the film where Richard Jewell finally confronts the FBI. The way Richard Jewell confronts the FBI and talks to them about why he is being investigated and when they don’t respond is pretty powerful but not the most powerful scene. The thing that keeps this film from being higher than a 7 is that the technical aspects are just okay. The cinematography is serviceable and the script is fine. The film says what it needs to say and then ends. It’s plain and simple. Overall, Richard Jewell provides an insightful message on our culture today about the media with powerful performances to back it up.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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10

Naser2153Dec 19, 2019

This is Clint Eastwood's best work in a decade. Compelling, heartbreaking and fantastic. Absolutely 2019's best film. A must see and I can see why so many critics are angry with this film.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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8

netflicDec 16, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the latest film by an actor-turned-director Clint Eastwood. I generally like his movies, they are solid and done well. This latest one is not an exception.

The film is based on real events, 1996 Summer Olympics bombing in Atlanta, Georgia. Many people remember it.

Richard Jewell was a security guard who found a backpack with explosives, notified authorities and heroically worked to save public from danger.

However later on he was chosen by FBI as a primary suspect because he fit a profile of a lonely bomber.

A local newspaper journalist got a hint from FBI and destroyed Richard's reputation without checking any facts.

FBI abused their power by intimidating and manipulating a suspect instead of collecting evidence.

Even though the movie is about events that happened back in 1996, it is very relevant today as never before. Fake news are abundant, many newspapers are biased and dishonest, FBI "railroads" (this term is being used in the movie) people's lives for reasons that have nothing to do with what they should be doing.

I think the timing of this movie coming out *now* is not accidental. It is a warning to all of us.

I liked mostly all performances, especially Richard's mom Bobi, played by Kathy Bates.

I recommend this movie to be seen.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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7

GreatMartinDec 13, 2019

Democrats and Republicans each can find something in this film to point out to each other though director Clint Eastwood sort of stacks the deck for the Conservatives. Based on a true story a viewer never knows what is true and what isDemocrats and Republicans each can find something in this film to point out to each other though director Clint Eastwood sort of stacks the deck for the Conservatives. Based on a true story a viewer never knows what is true and what is imagined such as the reporter having sex with the FBI guy to get a story really true? The reporter is dead and the FBI man is really a mixture of a few people.

There is no falsehood behind the story of reporter Kathy Scruggs of the Atlantic-Journal Constitution naming Richard Jewell as the suspect in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia after he was hailed for being a hero when he found the bomb and alerted the authorities saving thousands of lives. Tom Broker, on NBC TV, also reports that Jewell is a suspect. We watch the FBI, and the media, tear apart the lives of both Jewell and his mother who he lives with. Kathy Bates, as the mother, has two very strong scenes that would justify her being nominated for an Oscar while Sam Rockwell as the lawyer committing himself to clear Richard's name gives another one of his strong performances and Paul Walter Hauser as Richard Jewell gives a once in a lifetime performance and certainly deserves a lot of movie awards during award time! The actors are the ones who make this movie with the screenplay Billy Ray a little too scattered and director Clint Eastwood seems to want to show that liberals don't run the movie business so we have a lot of unnecessary politics and wasted time.

I do recommend "Richard Sewell" for the aforementioned excellent performances plus what could be a realistic look at how a man's life could be ruined without substantial facts accusing him of something he hasn't done.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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10

Naz34Dec 16, 2019

Richard Jewell is a brilliant and bold film that explores government & media corruption in how a witch hunt plays out.

Richard Jewell was the victim here, not the female reporter who wrote multiple hit pieces against him...not the AJCRichard Jewell is a brilliant and bold film that explores government & media corruption in how a witch hunt plays out.

Richard Jewell was the victim here, not the female reporter who wrote multiple hit pieces against him...not the AJC publication. It is sad that the narrative is being flipped around against the film due to a minor use of creative license which is being vilified. This woman did have a prior romantic entanglement with a cop on the case, so the film did not reach much when it came to that plot point as to how she leaked the info to the press.

This is a gripping and important movie. It is probably Eastwood's best movie in the past ten years. Paul Walter Hauser is a revelation. Sam Rockwell gives a powerful performance as his indignant lawyer and he deserves an Oscar nomination. Kathy Bates is heartbreaking as his traumatized mother. Richard Jewell is the victim and the film pays tribute to injustice. It doesn't matter if you are left wing or right wing. I hope the film is vindicated during awards season because I think some of the media injustice, manufactured overblown controversy is damaging the film.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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8

MarkTakayamaDec 19, 2019

This was very informative movie.I learned a terrorist attack in 1996.The movie was quite long.It was over 2 hours.Other than that, I really liked it.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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9

mtown9999Dec 22, 2019

Great movie. One of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Highly recommend.

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10

DeanomiteJan 17, 2020

This was the best movie of the year. it is about our Constitutional rights and how rogue government destroys well meaning con•sci•en•tious individuals. Eastwood is a master of character development, and a big part of that is showing theThis was the best movie of the year. it is about our Constitutional rights and how rogue government destroys well meaning con•sci•en•tious individuals. Eastwood is a master of character development, and a big part of that is showing the flaws. Richard Jewell is a very flawed individual, seems mildly autistic. But he provides a valuable service and is happy to help and is deeply empathetic. Arguably the most complete character in an Eastwood movie. And well portrayed by John Paul Hauser. Excellent casting choices of Kathy Bates, Sam Rockwell and John Hamm, every single one a good actor with a chance to breathe a little. It was very surreal to see the crazy guy correct. There is a lesson in all this, it is that people are trash. The FBI, media and employers would never have behaved in this fashion if anything else were true. Decent people are an island in an ocean. I was incredibly moved when he said he is not allowed to talk to people anymore, I have recently reached the same conclusion for different reasons, that is brilliant filmmaking. All I can say is Sam Rockwell definitely earned his Snickers. I cried when he said his mom only got to be proud for 3 days of her son, i cried a lot at this movie, like watching The Elephant Man win. This is Jungian individual vs collective at it's best, with some Kafka arbitrary justice thrown in, bravo Clint Eastwood, mastering philosophy and contemporary Constitutional rights at once. The crazy guy walked away disappointed with the incompetence of the government.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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7

SpiritvoxJan 12, 2020

I very much enjoyed this movie. It’s very heartbreaking to see even in the 90’s what our government and media will do for their own gain. So happy the truth came out in the end.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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8

Barbara_BarusJan 24, 2020

To be honest I never watched any of Clint Eastwood movie before
Clint Eastwood made the actors played they're best because I never heard about Paul Water House and he looks super cool in this role
This is an absolute drama with a greatTo be honest I never watched any of Clint Eastwood movie before
Clint Eastwood made the actors played they're best because I never heard about Paul Water House and he looks super cool in this role
This is an absolute drama with a great atmosphere and soundtrack for 1996
It feels like Clint is 20 or 30 now, BUT he is 89. WOW.
Respect… Expand

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10

janeelizabethMar 21, 2020

Richard Jewel was a heartfelt movie of just a simple man with great values who became a victim during the Olympic bombings in 1996. Sam Rockwell did an outstanding job as his quirky lawyer.
Clint Eastwood is amazing, I thoroughly enjoy hisRichard Jewel was a heartfelt movie of just a simple man with great values who became a victim during the Olympic bombings in 1996. Sam Rockwell did an outstanding job as his quirky lawyer.
Clint Eastwood is amazing, I thoroughly enjoy his ability to direct and tell a fine story.
I am disappointed the movie did not did not receive more recognition.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

crbNov 18, 2021

The character arch for Richard is interesting, and the character is played in such a way that you can actually sense there is also a bit of darkness behind the goofy autistic goody-good demeanor. Interesting story, likeable characters. TwoThe character arch for Richard is interesting, and the character is played in such a way that you can actually sense there is also a bit of darkness behind the goofy autistic goody-good demeanor. Interesting story, likeable characters. Two things bugged me. First, how the news lady started crying all of the sudden realizing the mistake she made and how she ruined some lives. She is presented like a cold hard unempathetic person for 95% of the movie and all of the sudden she realizes she was wrong and this makes her regret her actions. The change of traits was way to sudden there. Secondly, I thought the was the story finds it's happy end was too fast paced. As in the 2 main characters go to the FBI interview, the realize the FBI has nothing on them, give a speech about how they stopped respecting the FBI, then leave. That was that. So it seemed a bit that the story took it's sweet time to present characters and setting at the beginning but had to speed up the resolution in the end. Overall an enjoyable movie, very good acting and a story about redemption that makes it even more enjoyable because all adversities never changed the hero in his core.… Expand