Paul Walter Hauser gives his own film a mediocre rating

In December 2024, actor Paul Walter Hauser defended his decision to rate his own film Richard Jewell a 3.5 out of 5 stars on Letterboxd, a popular film rating social media platform. This response was prompted by a fan's humorous observation on X/Twitter about his rating of the film in which he played the titular character. Hauser clarified that he does not view a 3.5 rating as an insult, emphasizing the importance of honesty in film assessments. He mentioned his admiration for films that he considers classics, like The Shawshank Redemption and Schindler's List, to justify why he felt Richard Jewell did not reach the same status despite being a commendable movie worthy of viewing. Hauser shared that he has fond memories related to the production of Richard Jewell, highlighting his positive experiences with co-stars, including Sam Rockwell and Jon Hamm, as well as personal milestones he achieved during filming, such as meeting his wife. He portrayed Richard Jewell, a real-life figure who discovered a bomb during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, thereby igniting a tragic media frenzy that wrongly accused him of being a suspect in the bombing. Despite the serious nature of the film's plot, Hauser's nostalgic reflection showed a deeper connection to the project. Moreover, Hauser is known for rating other films he has been part of, with a range of ratings that illustrate his personal taste and honest appraisal of his work. For example, he rated Cruella 4.5 stars, Inside Out 2 and Americana both 4 stars, while he gave lower ratings of 2.5 stars to The Instigators and Queenpins. This consistent approach to rating his films sparked discussions about the ethics of self-rating in the film industry, contributing to broader conversations about subjective versus objective appreciation of cinematic art. Earlier this year, Hauser found himself in a different spotlight after critics called him out for comments made about Vin Diesel, leading him to issue an apology. It appears that his reflective approach to both filmmaking and public commentary is a significant aspect of his evolving career. Yet, the reaction to his self-rated films and the discussions it invokes show the complexity and scrutiny faced by artists wishing to communicate their honest opinions and experiences in an increasingly public forum.