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Richard Jewell (2019)  
Review
At the heart of this effective
character portrait of a simple security guard who ended up as FBI's
primary suspect of a terrorist bombing he helped limit the consequences
of during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta is a superb lead performance by Paul
Walter Hauser. And if you don't know that much about the case
beforehand, Clint Eastwood's economical, tight direction also helps
create a tension reminiscent of 1970s era thrillers (Play
Misty for Me springs to mind from time to time).
Particularly the first part of the film is taut with its slowly looming
atmosphere. And then the latter part gives us the always wonderful Sam
Rockwell in full glow. He is one of those actors who can be showy
without compromising authenticity. As Rockwell becomes our shield
against the arrogance of power and the media on the one hand and Richard
Jewell's apparent gullibility on the other, Eastwood guides us
effectively through this remarkable, poignant story. Kathy Bates
received her third Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nomination for
her empathetic performance as Jewell's mother.
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