Paul Walter Hauser plays Richard Jewell as a man whose life depends on one split-second decision, and the movie knows it. “Richard Jewell” is a drama about a man who finds a bomb at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, evacuates a crowd, and is then turned into a suspect by the FBI and the press. It is also a portrait of a society that treats a hero’s name as a story to be broken.
Clint Eastwood directs from a screenplay by Billy Ray, adapted from Marie Brenner’s 1997 Vanity Fair article “American Nightmare: The Ballad of Richard Jewell.” The film runs 131 minutes and stars Paul Walter Hauser as Jewell, Kathy Bates as his mother Bobi, Jon Hamm as FBI agent Tom Shaw, and Sam Rockwell as attorney Watson Bryant. Olivia Wilde plays journalist Kathy Scruggs of The Atlanta Journal.
Trailer, via Warner Bros..
Jewell Finds the Bomb
The setup is simple and effective. Jewell works as a security guard at Centennial Park during a Jack Mack and the Heart Attack concert on July 27, 1996. He notices a stray backpack beneath a bench and insists that proper protocol be followed. An explosives expert confirms the backpack holds a bomb. The security team evacuates concertgoers, and the bomb detonates, killing two people and injuring many more.
Jewell is hailed as a hero. His vigilance is believed to have saved hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives. The film captures the instant of recognition, the moment Jewell’s actions become public memory.
The FBI Turns Against Him
The film’s second half turns darker. The dean of Piedmont College contacts the FBI to raise suspicions about Jewell. FBI agent Tom Shaw determines that Jewell, as a white, male “wanna-be” police officer, fits the profile of someone seeking glory and attention. Shaw is approached by Scruggs, who offers sexual favors in exchange for information. She publishes a story on the front page of The Atlanta Journal, and the media narrative shifts from praise to suspicion.
Hauser carries the weight of this betrayal. His Jewell is a man who trusts authority and finds it failing him. The film’s central tension is not between Jewell and the bomber, but between Jewell and the institutions meant to protect him.
Bates Anchors the Story
Kathy Bates plays Bobi Jewell, Richard’s mother. Her performance grounds the film. She is a woman who sees her son’s reputation destroyed and fights to restore it. Bates’s presence gives the film a moral center. When Jewell’s name becomes a liability, she becomes his advocate.
Sam Rockwell plays Watson Bryant, the attorney who represents Jewell. Rockwell brings a sharp intelligence to the role. He is the voice of reason in a world gone mad.
Jon Hamm plays Tom Shaw. Hamm plays him as a man who believes his own suspicions. Shaw’s conviction is the film’s engine. Without it, there is no story. Olivia Wilde plays Scruggs. Her performance is divisive. The film presents her as a manipulative opportunist, and it does not flinch from that portrayal.
What Works, What Does Not
The film’s strengths are its performances and its direction. Eastwood handles the material with restraint. He does not over-explain the injustice. He shows it.
The film’s weaknesses are its politics and its pacing. Some scenes feel padded, and the film’s message about media responsibility feels heavy-handed. The treatment of Scruggs is the most controversial element. Several journalists criticized the film’s portrayal of her, specifically its depiction of her trading sex for stories.
The film’s tagline promises that “the world will know his name and the truth.” That promise is partially kept. The film makes its case, but it does not fully resolve the questions it raises.
Release and Reception
“Richard Jewell” premiered at AFI Fest on November 20, 2019. It was released in theaters on December 13, 2019, by Warner Bros. Pictures. It grossed $44 million against a $45 million budget.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| World premiere | November 20, 2019 |
| Theatrical release | December 13, 2019 |
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. The performances were praised, particularly those of Bates, Rockwell, and Hauser. Eastwood’s direction was also singled out.
The film’s reception was tempered by the controversy surrounding its depiction of Scruggs. Critics noted the film’s handling of her character, which some found unfair.
Final Verdict
“Richard Jewell” is a film about a man who became a symbol of injustice. It is also a film about the cost of fame and the fragility of trust. The performances are strong, and the direction is assured. But the film’s handling of Scruggs is a flaw that cannot be ignored.
This is a film worth seeing for its craft and its actors. It is a film that leaves you thinking about the power of names and the weight of suspicion.
6.8 of 10.
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