Fans are rediscovering Clint Eastwood's true crime 'masterpiece' that deserved multiple Oscars. The streamer has recently added the true crime thriller Richard Jewell. Originally released in 2019 and based on actual events, the film is now available for streaming, allowing audiences to revisit this 'underrated gem'.
The Story Behind the Film
Set during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, security guard Richard Jewell spots a suspicious rucksack beneath a bench in Centennial Park. Racing against time, he assists with evacuating the vicinity before the explosive device within the bag detonates. Initially celebrated as a hero who preserved lives, Jewell's existence begins to crumble when the FBI designates him the principal suspect in the attack.
These incidents genuinely occurred, and the film depicts how the real-life Jewell endured a 'trial by media'. In the production, he's portrayed by wrestler and actor Paul Walter Hauser, who has subsequently appeared in The Luckiest Man in America, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and voiced Embarrassment in Pixar's Inside Out 2, reports the Mirror.
Cast and Reception
The ensemble also includes Sam Rockwell as Jewell's lawyer, Kathy Bates portraying Jewell's mother, alongside Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde. The film generated some debate, particularly regarding its representation of certain events, including invented sequences and the characterisation of a journalist. Nevertheless, it received largely favourable reviews from critics. It garnered a respectable 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an even more striking 96% audience score.
Helmed by Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood, it's regarded by many as amongst his finest contemporary work. One reviewer observed: 'The veteran director creates one of his best films in years with this powerful true story.' Another declared: 'One of Clint's most memorable characters, and a picture as well rounded and engaging as he's crafted in years.'
They weren't alone, as one viewer remarked: 'This is a jewel of a film from the past ten years, scandalously underrated. Clint is a top director when on form and he delivered with a beautifully crafted and acted plot with a tremendously well casted ensemble. Deserves a wider audience. Simple but stunning story and told so powerfully.'
Another viewer observed: 'It's right up there with Gran Torino for my favourite. Paul Walter Hauser is, perhaps, one of the most underrated actors at the moment. Sam Rockwell is magnificent, as always, we need more movies with him. And Kathy Bates is just superb. Give it a try if you like movies with charismatic actors and underdog characters.'
One fan described it as 'a timely period piece' before stating: 'Richard Jewell, the film, is a nearly-perfect piece of filmmaking. The performances are all outstanding.'
Awards and Recognition
The film received a solitary nomination at the 2020 Oscars ceremony – Kathy Bates for Best Supporting Actress. Nevertheless, numerous fans who've already seen the picture remain convinced it deserved recognition in additional categories and should have secured more than one award. One admirer declared: 'Another Clint Eastwood masterpiece.' While another marvelled: 'How on earth did this not win Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor Oscars for all its stars?'
Richard Jewell is streaming on Netflix.
