‘Richard Jewell’ gives a hero his due

Posted on December 20, 2019

By MARK VIOLA

I was in high school during the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia. Looking back, I don’t recall much, if anything, about the news stories surrounding the bombing and the initial suspect, security guard Richard Jewell. I do remember that despite intense scrutiny from both the FBI and the media, Jewell was eventually exonerated, although not before his life was put under a very bright microscope.

Now, director Clint Eastwood (“American Sniper”) turns his lens on this sordid tale in his new film, “Richard Jewell.” Although the film has been met with controversy of its own, as well as a disappointing first weekend at the box office, the movie is quite good, showing how one man’s life was upended by both overzealous law enforcement agents and
journalists.

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.