Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Richard Jewell Blu-ray Movie Review

Jewell of Denial.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III March 15, 2020

Clint Eastwood's Richard Jewell is, among other things, a dramatization of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing, a domestic terrorist incident in which two bystanders were killed and 111 injured when a backpack containing three pipe bombs exploded. Security guard Richard Jewell initially discovered the suspicious backpack under a park bench and took proactive measures, notifying authorities and helping to evacuate the grounds, likely saving dozens of lives while preventing even more injuries. Initially regarded by the media as a hero for his immediate and selfless actions, the introverted Jewell was later considered a prime suspect in the as-yet-unsolved case, mainly due to his checkered professional past. Far from a complete historical rewrite or mawkish exploitation of genuine tragedy, Richard Jewell aims to set the record straight for those who have forgotten -- or perhaps never heard -- the real story.

A full decade before the fateful night, Eastwood's film introduces us to its ordinary hero: overweight, unassuming supply clerk Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser) and his early encounter with attorney Watson Bryant (Sam Rockwell), who playfully teases him but admires Jewell's attention to small details. Years later, both have moved on: Jewell is a security guard at Piedmont College -- and eventually fired for abusing his authority -- while Bryant has started a small law firm with girlfriend Nadya (Nina Arianda). Jewell's most recent gig working security at Centennial Park leads to their reunion: after the horrific bombing and Jewell's initially warm media reception, he contacts Bryant for legal counsel about a proposed book deal. Meanwhile, an investigation led by FBI Agent Tom Shaw (Jon Hamm) marks Jewell as a suspect due to his employment history and loner attitude, compounded by the fact that he still lives at home with his mother Bobi (Kathy Bates). But the real catalyst is a story leaked to shady Atlanta-Journal Constitution reporter Kathy Scruggs (Olivia Wilde), who spearheads the media's character assassination. After Jewell is brought in by the FBI for questioning under false pretenses, Bryant gladly jumps in to tackle his biggest case to date.

Although it takes a few liberties with historical fact, Richard Jewell seems determined to preserve a real sense of visual authenticity. It offers a respectable reconstruction of the outdoor concert venue where the bombing took place which was, according to a behind-the-scenes featurette, built by one of the original 1996 stage engineers. Even the exterior shots of the Jewells' apartment were shot on location in Atlanta, while many local extras -- some of which were at or near the original event -- were even put to work. Perhaps its only genuine problem (which, ironically, may have led to its box-office downfall) is the portrayal of Kathy Scruggs and FBI Agent Tom Shaw; the former is a manipulative and self-serving villain who undergoes a less-than-convincing change of heart, while the latter is a composite character who, again, propels most of the sudden and somewhat unbelievable character assassination of Jewell.

Yet as a whole, this is a well-crafted and engaging film with solid performances that, above all, further exonerates a man who went from public favor to vilification due to unfair treatment by the media -- a problem that still exists today and even extends to modern social media witch-hunts. (Not my original observation, but one professed by the director that I happen to agree with.) Yet regardless of its social politics, Richard Jewell is, like its title character, a refreshingly unassuming and ordinary film, and that's part of the charm. Even with its surprisingly long 129-minute running time, it has the feel of a much smaller independent production; one that's largely effective due to its strong focus and excellent cast, both of which contribute to the notion that Richard Jewell feels like slightly more than the sum of its parts.

The film's box-office failure -- Eastwood's worst showing since Bronco Billy -- is disappointing but makes Richard Jewell a prime candidate for re-evaluation on home video, even if those poor ticket sales negated the chance of a 4K release. Regardless, Warner Bros.' solid Blu-ray adds a good amount of support, which extends more to the A/V presentation than its rather plain-wrap collection of extras. It's well worth a watch whether you're an Eastwood fan or not.

Richard Jewell Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Richard Jewell looks great on Blu-ray -- not surprising, since it was sourced from a true 4K digital intermediate. This is a very natural-looking film with very little stylish lighting; aside from specific locations like a video arcade, the nighttime concert, and other colorful locales, the film's appearance is as unassuming as its title character. Regardless, this 1080p transfer has no trouble pulling out plenty of detail and texture in close-ups and wide shots alike, with a decent illusion of depth during outdoor scenes. Black levels run fairly deep with no obvious signs of crush, while banding and compression artifacts are kept to a minimum. This is a well-authored disc that runs at a high bit rate, and one that almost perfectly presents its visually plain but nonetheless authentic atmosphere.

My only complaint (and it's no fault of the disc) is Richard Jewell's Panavision format, which occasionally feels ill-fitting; the compositions and framing are sometimes either too cramped or have a lot of wasted space that work against its sense of visual storytelling. Well, that and the lack of a 4K option, given its source material. But aside from those two pointless complaints, there's nothing wrong here and most fans will be fine with its appearance on Blu-ray.

Richard Jewell Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Richard Jewell's audio, while serviceable, doesn't quite reach the same heights. This DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix does manage to impress at times, with more than a few moments of discrete channel activity and a generally clear and crisp sound stage that varies depending on the location and subject matter. Yet its "biggest" moments, namely the nighttime concert and its aftermath, don't always provide as convincing an atmosphere as expected. Regular conversations were perfectly intelligible at normal listening levels but rarely (if ever) extended much further even when it seemed like the situation demanded it. Still, the wide majority of Richard Jewell absolutely does not depend on these rare moments of sonic power so, in a way, this lossless audio mix is at least 95% perfectly acceptable.

Optional subtitles (including English SDH) are included during the main feature; these are formatted perfectly and fit snugly within the 2.39:1 frame. Like the audio, there are no obvious defects of sync issues to report.

Richard Jewell Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Richard Jewell arrives on Blu-ray in a standard keepcase with a matching slipcover and Digital Copy redemption slip. On-disc extras are standard fare from top to bottom -- nothing special here, but worth a once-over.

• The Making of Richard Jewell (6:58) - This short promotional piece covers the initial development and basic aspects of the production, including the cast process and shooting locations. A few key cast and crew members offer brief comments including Clint Eastwood, Kathy Bates, Olivia Wilde, Paul Walter Hauser, and others.

• The Real Story of Richard Jewell (6:39) - Many of the same contributors return, as well as others including the real-life Bobi Jewell and Watson Bryant, to speak further about events depicted in the film. There's also a call to action against similar mistreatment, including the current trend of social media "mob justice". I was hoping for archival footage or even a few photos, but this is sadly more of a surface-level retrospective.

Richard Jewell Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Clint Eastwood's Richard Jewell, like the title character, was misunderstood during its brief time in the sun and seemed to vanish from theaters without a trace. Featuring a great cast, solid performances, and a respectable commitment to visual accuracy, it's a well-paced and mostly even-handed film that flies by much quicker than its running time implies. It's thankfully earned a second life on home video, even though the lack of real bonus features -- not to mention a 4K option -- somewhat spoil the party. But the movie's the main attraction, and Warner Bros.' Blu-ray at least serves up a capable A/V presentation that seems true to its source material. Recommended to established Eastwood fans and curious newcomers alike, especially those old enough to remember the real-life events as they unfolded in 1996.