Richard Jewell

Where it falters - and badly - is in its portrayal of real-life reporter Kathy Scruggs. It leaves a bitter taste and mars the whole package, undermining its own good work elsewhere.

The story Eastwood is telling here is indeed a compelling one, a real-life drama recounting the abuse of power by the two most powerful institutions in America, the government and the press.

Eastwood's "shut up and point the camera" style of storytelling is bluntly effective and the film is powered along by three terrific performances.

This is, frankly, a political film and it's no secret that Eastwood is not exactly on the left, but, ever the pragmatist, he leaves room for multiple readings.

What should be an expose with nuanced performances has a very un-nuanced performance that overshadows the film...

It's not Eastwood's finest hour.

Politics notwithstanding, Eastwood deserves credit for creating such a thoroughly engrossing and passionate film like Richard Jewell just shy of his 90th birthday.

Its strong acting and character relationship dynamics are the main selling points, as Eastwood’s sense of direction and pacing are the best they have been in a long time.

It does a good job establishing its characters, but much like the movie’s namesake, it’s easygoing when it comes to emotions and a little too absorbed in the details.

Richard Jewell is a strongly acted and solidly directed film by Clint Eastwood. All the lead performances are exceptional. However, the movie suffers from excess padding and should have focused less on the likely fictionalized Kathy Scruggs elements.