Wednesday, December 18, 2019

My 2 cents about the movie RICHARD JEWELL



The movie starts off  with Richard Jewell being fired as a security guard at Piedmont Collage in Habersham County.  The problem with Richard he was a bit over-zealous enforcing rules and regulations.  He was even pulling over cars on nearby roads.

Jewell wanted to be a good cop,  one to be looked up to like he did policemen.  Think of Barney Fife.

It was also mentioned that at one time he worked for a real law enforcing agency, which apparently did not last.

Skipping over details, he found himself a security guard at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.  Richard Jewell was being his usual Richard Jewell, checking out people, gangs, bunches having fun, all.  His peers hid their snickers.

Then Richard saw an unattended suspicious looking backpack.  He reported it to the Atlanta Police with but did not get over excited about it.  Richard insisted the cops contact a bomb expert, which I think it is protocol to check out things like once it is brought to their attention.  Guess what?  It was an honest to good bomb and an anonymous caller called 911 and told them it was going off in 30 minutes.

Richard, other security guards, and policemen hustled most the people away.

The bomb exploded killing two and injuring over 100.

If it wasn't for Richard Jewell hundreds more would have probably lost their lives.  Richard Jewell was a hero.  THE TODAY SHOW interviewed him.

Enter the FBI:  They were having a hard time.  Their leaders in Washington and public demanded they catch the bomber.  They had no clues.

Enter (again) the president of Piedmont College.  He told the FBI his theory, knowing Richard Jewell.  He suggested that Jewell fitted profile of previous phony heroes who started a fire or havoc then come along and save the day and get the hero credit.

The FBI thought that made sense and started questioning Jewell.

The local head of the FBI "leaked" to local sexy female star reporter of he largest local newspaper that Jewell was the main suspect.  It hit the newspapers' headlines.

Richard Jewell's twenty minutes of fame was over.  He was no longer a hero, he and his mother's whole life changed.

Skip over more details.  Finally, with the suggestion of his lawyer, he told the FBI "to put up or shut up."  They chose "shut up".

Later anarchist Eric Rudolph admitted to the bombing and other bombings.

It was a good movie, and as far as I know historically accurate.  and nice Atlanta  land marks.

The most notable of the cast:

Paul Walter Houser  - Richard Jewell
Sam Rockwell          - Richard's lawyer
Kathy Bates              - Richard's mother
Jonn Hamm               - FBI main man
Olivia Wilde              - Star newspaper reporter
Directed by Clint Eastwood

Left, real Richard Jewell                                     


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