Richard Jewell

This was a confounding film. The story itself was interesting and Richard Jewell proved to be a fascinating character. However, Clint Eastwood's directing felt tonally flat and un-involving. Throughout the film, we felt more like a passive observer of a bio-docu rather than an involved participant of a human drama.

That being said, lead actor Paul Walter Hauser was a revelation and this film could be his big breakout and future calling card. Kathy Bates deserved her Oscar nomination and Sam Rockwell was solid as ever. Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde were cast in stereotypical, cliche roles, especially the latter who had a complicated arc that tarnished the film. Odd choice for the director of Booksmart to agree to her role; not so odd for Eastwood though. But similarly, it was equally sexist of Hollywood that Hamm got no blowback for his part.

At just about two hours, the film was not too difficult to watch, but after a brilliantly brisk and economical Act 1, Eastwood kind of meandered and doddered in the middle. Like most historical biopics, most of the audience would have known enough to know how the story ends, therefore it was up to the director (and screenwriter) to make that journey worth our time. Unfortunately, it was not in this case. Eastwood and writer Billy Ray barely got us inside the characters' head space and at times it was difficult to empathise with Jewell.

Hauser was a surprising choice to cast in the lead, but he nailed the role. It was not a big showy role but his portrayal of Jewell was convincing and consistent.

Bates too nailed her role as Jewell's mother, and her big moment absolutely cemented her Oscar nomination.

Rockwell, dependent as always, does not get much to do here, but his presence was reassuring.

Richard Jewell was one of Eastwood's better recent films. If not for the misogynistic undertones it would have been received better.