Review of J. Edgar (2011) by Early B — 15 Jun 2012

J. Edgar Hoover is one of the most controversial men in the history of 20th Century America. He created the FBI, and ran it up until his death. Hoover was a hero while alive, yet perceived as a monster in death.

Clint Eastwood tries to do justice to Hoover in J. Edgar, but his attempt is so bland and seems to scratch the surface that at least this reviewer couldn't really get interested.

First, the positives. J. Edgar was a very well made film. Eastwood clearly knows what he is doing and the acting was superb. Leonardo DiCaprio acts his heart out as the title role, and was clearly a snub in this year's Oscars. Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts excel as Clyde Tolson and Helen Gandy respectively, as they along with Hoover create a power trio that carry out justice for nearly a half century. Judi Dench is remarkable as Hoover's strong-willed even manipulative mother. Minor roles just as good from Jeffrey Donovan's scenes as Bobby Kennedy to Josh Lucas as Charles Lindbergh. The makeup was just fine, even if it was a sticking point for some, and the cinematography was decent.

The biggest negative is the script. Dustin Lance Black tries to explore Hoover without the rumors that swirled around him, especially accusations that Hoover was a cross-dresser. But the homosexuality aspect of his life could have been written better. Black tries to normalize the relationship between Hoover and Tolson, and he succeeds a little in portraying them as a married couple, but he opted for a little more melodrama than was needed. Overall, the script should have dug deeper into Hoover's life trying to spark a little discussion or controversy. Using Hoover's relationship with Tolson as shock value seemed a little offensive, and the rest of the script seemed bland and uninteresting.

Essentially, J. Edgar is up there with Superman Returns for me with earning the title of "well-made bore". Both were well directed and acted, but the script left something to be desired, action and humor and even revelation were too little and far apart to make a compelling film. So it gets a mixed to positive response to me. Watch it for DiCaprio though, and wonder why he is not getting his name called at all tonight for Best Actor.