Richard Jewell * * * * ½
Good to see Clint Eastwood back on track after the somewhat sketchy Mule.
This one is solid. I'ts got Clint's distinct "old school" building block style but it serves this story extremely well.
Personally I can scarcely remember the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but that's true of all of them to be honest. No matter where it is being hosted, I regard the Olympics an overrated bore.
Apparently this event was marred by a bomb, but the damage and loss of life was greatly reduced because of one man.
From the outset Eastwood gives us a defined portrait of Richard Jewell.
You get the impression he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was well meaning with a somewhat enthusiastic interest for law and order. Still living at home with his Mum, he was a bit of a loner and not really the type to attract the ladies, either on looks or charm.
He had a job as a security guard at the Olympic Games, working in the entertainment area.
One night he found a suspicious package, under a bench seat. He informed the police and initiated clearing the area, refusing to leave until he was quite sure it was safe, but the bomb did go off. Nevertheless, many more people would have been killed or injured had it not been for his diligence.
As the FBI were also there, this was on their watch and the fact that some lowly security guard did their job for them made them look a bit second rate. They decided that they must at least find the culprit, and who better to point the finger at than the security guard?
And boy, did the press love that?! They are primarily portrayed by one obscenely ambitious immoral journalist from a local paper.
Jewell went from hero to pariah overnight.
One of the most salient messages of Richard Jewell is the horror of false accusation and the naivety of speaking openly with respectable authorities.
Our own confidence in Jewell becomes shaken too, but his lawyer's never is - a colourful character in a pair of shorts and a pick-up truck, he works tirelessly to defend Jewell.
This is a good solid drama that never looses its focus.
This one is solid. I'ts got Clint's distinct "old school" building block style but it serves this story extremely well.
Personally I can scarcely remember the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but that's true of all of them to be honest. No matter where it is being hosted, I regard the Olympics an overrated bore.
Apparently this event was marred by a bomb, but the damage and loss of life was greatly reduced because of one man.
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| Richard Jewell gets Gold |
You get the impression he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was well meaning with a somewhat enthusiastic interest for law and order. Still living at home with his Mum, he was a bit of a loner and not really the type to attract the ladies, either on looks or charm.
He had a job as a security guard at the Olympic Games, working in the entertainment area.
One night he found a suspicious package, under a bench seat. He informed the police and initiated clearing the area, refusing to leave until he was quite sure it was safe, but the bomb did go off. Nevertheless, many more people would have been killed or injured had it not been for his diligence.
As the FBI were also there, this was on their watch and the fact that some lowly security guard did their job for them made them look a bit second rate. They decided that they must at least find the culprit, and who better to point the finger at than the security guard?
And boy, did the press love that?! They are primarily portrayed by one obscenely ambitious immoral journalist from a local paper.
Jewell went from hero to pariah overnight.
One of the most salient messages of Richard Jewell is the horror of false accusation and the naivety of speaking openly with respectable authorities.
Our own confidence in Jewell becomes shaken too, but his lawyer's never is - a colourful character in a pair of shorts and a pick-up truck, he works tirelessly to defend Jewell.
This is a good solid drama that never looses its focus.
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