Review of J. Edgar (2011) by Dan S — 10 Aug 2012

A sensationally acted yet stone cold look at the start of the F.B.I. and its maker, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio). While DiCaprio gives yet another ferocious, amazing performance, Dustin Lance Black's script seems more intent on dealing with Hoover's rumored homosexuality instead of the more interesting people and situations he was involved with.

While the rumored, seedy parts of Hoover's life take center stage, the more interesting meat of the story is given not enough attention. Not to mention Black jumps all over the map between old Hoover to young Hoover, enough to make one's head spin instead of dividing those sections up more skillfully.

With all of that said, it still remains a largely interesting, if quite flawed, picture, that is almost worth recommendation due to DiCaprio's awesome performance alone. Sadly, it just misses the cut, instead settling for a mediocre though missable look at a compelling figure who deserved a better biopic than this.