Richard Jewel (2019) is the upcoming Clint Eastwood’s movie based on the true story featuring the heroic security guard, elevated initially as the hero and later reported as the major culprit behind the bombing incident at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.
Clint Eastwood once again takes charge in an attempt to glorify the unsung American hero who went through the harshest of circumstances virtually impossible to face for anyone with average nerves. But here we are talking about a hero, celebrated first for saving lives of the victims of the bombing incident but later suspected as the partner in crime, mainly because of the manipulative representation of media.
After The Mule, The 15:17 to Paris, Sully, and American Sniper, the director, Clint Eastwood is anticipating yet another huge success with the release of Richard Jewell on December 13, 2019. The best part, once more, about Eastwood’s film is that the focus remains on the ordinary individuals and real-life heroes. The movie seems to carry the real American emotion and patriotism face to face against the ever-scheming media and men who matter.
The theme and format of Richard Jewell seem pretty similar to that of Sully. Even the plot is similar, an ordinary man becomes a hero for a while and then put on trial at the hands of authorities and the press. Sully generated $241 million but don’t forget that the big name, Tom Hanks, was partially responsible for this success. Despite the fact that Tom Hanks isn’t playing a role in the upcoming Eastwood’s film but we can’t underestimate the Warner Bros. Let’s hope Richard Jewell shines to illuminates Eastwood’s lifelong efforts in the industry.
Billy Ray (the screenwriter) and Eastwood decided to take a different approach contrary to that of All the President’s Men in which free press is praised for being noble. Eastwood portrays free press as a reckless, immoral, and corrupt institution. Richard Jewell, the protagonist, has no clue whatsoever about the quickly erupting circumstances making life difficult for him by each passing hour.
The script seems well balanced. The trailer suggests that Richard Jewell is a Mama’s boy and he finds no clue of escaping or fighting against the ruthless occurrences. Yes, he studies the penal code ‘every night’. He loves spending most of his time at the shooting range to boast of his gun collection. His mom, Bobi, loves him a lot and she seems the only one trying to lift Jewell’s spirit in the need of the hour.
Richard Jewell is basically the story of the guy who initially seems to be destined for an unnoticed, non-entity, a life that does stand a chance of making a mark on the society. But then things take a sudden turn on July 27, during a musical performance. A warning call alarms the Centennial Olympic Park of the possible bombing. He is none else but Jewell who jumps in and begins to clear the area. Minutes later, the pipe bomb goes off that injures 110 and kills two (one at the spot and another later). Jewell becomes the hero for his zealous attempt that saves many lives by acting just in time.
Thanksgiving and appreciation weren’t even completed when everything went quiet. Someone suspects Jewell and calls the FBI in an attempt to trigger the suspicion against the overnight hero. Jewel quickly takes the road from being the savior to the suspected villain. Kathy Scruggs, the real-life reporter for Atlanta Journal-Constitution (now deceased) has been criticized in the movie for receiving bombshell tip in exchange for sexual favor to Tom Shaw (FBI honcho). Some reviewers criticize the depiction of the deceased reporter who lives no more to defend herself. This seems to be the only, but highly serious, criticism on Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell.
Jewell is the center of discussion on all TV channels and print media. His life turns into the living hell and the FBI is visiting his apartment frequently in an attempt to find any clue whatsoever. Jewell’s gun collection intensifies the situation as the authorities take him as the most fitting individual they are trying to hunt down.
Jewel has to find a way out, maybe a highly smart attorney. How he manages to earn back the respect and honor he deserves? You’ll have to wait till December 13, 2019.
Richard Jewel 2019 – Credits
- Director: Clint Eastwood
- Production: 75 Year Plan, Appian Way, Misher Films, Malpaso
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
- Cast: Kathy Bates, Sam Rockwell, Hon Hamm, Nina Arianda, Olivia Wilde, Ian Gomez, Paul Walter Hauser, Wayne Duvall
- Screenwriter: Billy Ray – inspired by Marie Brenner’s American Nightmare: The Ballad of Richard Jewell
- Producers: Clint Eastwood, Kevin Misher, Tim Moore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Jessica Meier, Jennifer Davisson