Movie Review: J. Edgar

J. Edgar

R, 2 hr. 17 min.

Directed By

Clint Eastwood

Written By

Dustin Lance Black

Genres

Drama

Main Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas

Easy on the eyes factor: 0. The make up is horrible. Most of the young actors played the same character 40 years later which made for an enormous amount of make up work. And it was poorly done.

Plot: J. Edgar explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.

30 Minute Rule: Leonardo DiCaprio is an awesome actor. You will immediately be pulled in because of his magnetic performance and his amazing ability to be anyone from Howard Hughes to John Edgar Hoover. Spellbinding performance.

My Review: Plain and simple: Sugar-coated. J. Edgar Hoover served the FBI for 48 years. A span that covered 8 Presidents. His private life and personal life had so many layers that it would be impossible to cover his life in the FBI in just 2 hours. Not that it really matters much, but the movie touched on his sexuality and the tale of his boyfriend, also the Assistant Director. It also touched on his wearing of women's clothing. I understand that behind the scenes, Clint Eastwood took a lot of heat for smearing J. Edgar Hoover's name from people in Washington, mainly the FBI executives. Unfortunately, he had to focus on J. Edgar's alternative lifestyle because the writer of the story is a gay activist. If he doesn't use that information, what does that say? That Clint Eastwood is ashamed of the lifestyle or that he was bullied into extracting the lifestyle from the story? That would not be a good expression of truth and ethics.

I personally would have preferred to see more time given to his secret files and his Counter Intelligence Programs that helped to undermine the civil rights movement, progress in the political process and progress of liberalism or what he called communism. I would have like to see more information on his wiretaps and illegal investigation practices. It was touched upon how much he lied and took credit for actions that helped bolster the image of both himself and the FBI, but I would have liked to see more in-depth doings.

The undertaking to chronicle the life of J. Edgar Hoover would justifiably be better served in a 10 to 12 hour television mini-series or a cable series such as Boardwalk Empire. Henry the 8th lasted over 5 decades and HBO gave him 5 seasons of footage in The Tudors. J. Edgar would have been worthy of that as well.

The last thing I will say is that the acting of Leonardo DiCaprio is some of the finest acting that I've ever seen. it was superb, on-point, and spot on. The movie itself is not worthy of reward. Leo deserves a best actor nod.

Rating: 4 of 10. ♥♥♥♥