Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Box Office: Clint Eastwood’s Underdog Film “Richard Jewell” Finds An Audience, Picks Up Another $755K on Friday Night

Share

Audiences were somehow communicated the idea that “Richard Jewell” wasn’t for them.

But with “Star Wars” pulling in kids, and “Cats” growling in a different direction, Clint Eastwood’s jewel of a film is attracting fans.

Last night, “Richard Jewell” made $755,000. It was up 84%  from Thursday. What’s happening is that adults need a movie. They’re trying Eastwood’s film, liking it, and telling their friends. The $10 million mark is in sight.

Sadly, the movie has all but been abandoned. There was a tempest in a teapot about Olivia Wilde’s reporter character being portrayed inaccurately, but that seems to have died down now.

It’s possible, too, that Academy members are watching “Richard Jewell” either at home, in screenings, or in the movie theater. There are four Oscar nominate-able performances in Eastwood’s movie, from Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, and Wilde.

Also, just the idea of Eastwood making such a great film at age 89 is mind blowing. “Richard Jewell” is better directed than 99% of what we’ve seen this year.

So please– see it tonight. Or this week coming up. Just like “Bombshell,” “Just Mercy,” “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” these are artful movies for adults made with great craft that people will enjoy if they just take the chance.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

Read more

In Other News