Review of J. Edgar (2011) by Mimi S — 04 Jun 2014

I brought this film because I'm a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, but I kind of wish I hadn't wasted my money on it, even though it was only £2.99. Whilst Leonardo DiCaprio is brilliant as always, I just found the film extremely tedious. J. Edgar is a biographical film about John Edgar Hoover who was head of the FBI; the film depicts the progression of his career and his personal life. I appreciate biographical films but this film was just mind numbingly dull. Some biographies do simply not make good material for films. This was more like watching a boring history documentary that you're forced to watch at school. J.Edgar is just so monotone, bland and unengaging. Even the cinematography was dim, dark and depressing. I just felt bad for Leonardo DiCaprio wasting his talent on a film like this. This is directed by Clint Eastwood who is meant to be a terrific director and actor (I haven't seen many of his films), but with this you can't tell that this has been directed by a big name Hollywood director.

If there was an award for most boring film, J.Edgar wins! The cast is excellent, but not even they can save this film. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a grand performance as usual and Naomi Watts gives a strong performance as Edgar's loyal secretary and as does Armie Hammer as Edgar's supposed gay lover. Judi Dench is just Judi Dench; she's practically the same in every film. Judi Dench plays Edgar's overbearing mother. Edgar is definitely a mummy's boy! J. Edgar was apparently meant to be a closet homosexual but it's not only after the first hour of the film that the film explores the gay storyline. For the first half of the film J.Edgar is a pretty convincing straight guy.

Also the RT census mentions, the narrative is really bad. The story keeps switching back and forth to different points of Edgar's career and him as an old man. This just made it even more confusing and all over the place and it really just served no purpose. Don't see this film unless you like biographical films of this sort. J.Edgar is dull and uninteresting and will just make you wish you hadn't wasted 2 hours of your life watching it. Even if you're a Leo fan like me, it's wise to give this one a miss.

Grade: F.