Review of J. Edgar (2011) by The D — 14 Apr 2012
An interesting biopic of Hoover from Clint Eastwood with DiCaprio in the titular lead role.
It picks up after a number of bombings by radicalists and the early days of the FBI. Taking many years of his life up to his death it details many of his relationships with varying politicians & presidents but maninly focusing on three key personal relationships in his life. Those relationships being with his Mother(Dench), close friend Clyde(Hammer) & secretary & confidant Helen Gandy(Watts).
Another key focal point is the kidnap of a baby driving Hoover on to have laws and powers introduced to deal with such crimes.
But the concentration is really on the aforementioned relationships & how they shaped his life and the events in which he became involved both inspiring Hoover & threatening to destroy what he had worked for.
The first hour or so really takes you in as the narrative tells the story well but as the film goes on this starts to fade & it starts to a meander a little before a swift conclusion.
The players give exactly what you would expect and can't be faulted but really by the end you're really thinking of two words. "Mini-Series".
Still worth watching for performance & for an insight into his life.
This review of J. Edgar (2011) was written by The D on 14 Apr 2012.
J. Edgar has generally received mixed reviews.
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