Review of J. Edgar (2011) by Álvaro F — 19 May 2012

Clint Eastwood's fascinating film biography of the FBI's ruthless founding director J. Edgar Hoover is meticulously produced and exquisitely directed by the legendary 81 year old Hollywood icon who delivers his finest, most ambitious motion picture since "Letters from Iwo Jima," Eastwood's flawless direction keeps you enthralled throughout this fascinating biopic, the film also benefits greatly from Leonardo DiCaprio's astonishing, virtuoso star performance that is undeniably impressive and compelling as Hoover, the man who created the Federal Bureau of Investigation and successfully ran the agency with an iron fist for almost a half century, changing the face of law enforcement in America forever.

Dustin Lance Black's superlative, complex screenplay speculates on Hoover's amazing career, his personal life and sexuality, especially the never married Hoover's controversial tortured relationship with his associate director, the flamboyant Clyde Tolson, played brilliantly by Armie Hammer.

Hoover became one of the most powerful and feared men in the world, not only because of the formidable crime fighting ability of his FBI, but also due to his talent for digging up dirt on the private lives of high profile people and politicians, using it for blackmail, he had files on everybody of any importance.

Special kudos must be given to Judi Dench for her magnificent performance as Hoover's over-bearing mother Anne Marie Hoover, and Naomi Watts's excellent turn as Hoover's asexual loyal secretary Helen Gandy, but this is DiCaprio's film all the way and his show stopping performance is truly breathtaking, playing Hoover from a young man to a bitter 77 year old man, thanks to makeup artist Sian Grigg's awesome and incredibly realistic work on DiCaprio's face and body, there is impeccable cinematography by Tom Stern and a remarkable production design by James J.

Murakami. Gripping and powerful, another career high point for both Eastwood & DiCaprio. Highly Recommended.