Actor Defends Honest Review of His Own Movie

Paul Walter Hauser, the star of Clint Eastwood's 2019 courtroom drama, "Richard Jewell, " recently faced backlash for giving his own movie a 3. 5-star rating on Letterboxd. The actor, known for his role in "Juror #2, " defended his decision, stating that it was an honest reflection of the film's quality. Clint Eastwood, now 94, has directed over 40 films since his debut in 1971 with "Play Misty for Me. " Some of his films, like "The 5:17 to Paris" and "The Rookie, " didn't fare well critically, while others, such as "Unforgiven" and "Pale Rider, " are considered classics. "Richard Jewell" tells the true story of a security guard wrongly accused in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing. Despite receiving a 77% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, some fans felt Hauser's rating was too low. Hauser, however, argues that a 3. 5-star rating isn't a slight and simply reflects his honest opinion. He compared the rating to his 5/5 ratings for films like "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Schindler's List, " which he considers masterpieces. The actor's decision to be objective about his own film has sparked a debate among fans. Some believe he should have given it a higher rating, while others appreciate his honesty. The fact remains that "Richard Jewell" grossed $44 million on a $45 million budget, indicating that many viewers found it worth watching, even if it wasn't a "perfect" movie in Hauser's eyes. Hauser's stance shows a refreshing commitment to honesty, something that could encourage filmmakers to provide truthful ratings of their own movies on platforms like Letterboxd. His approach encourages us to think critically about movies and their ratings, recognizing that even actors can have discerning tastes and personal preferences.