Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Judi Dench, Naomi Watts
Director: Clint Eastwood
Ratings: 3.5/5
You might not have heard of him before, but the film guarantees that you will never ever forget him...
By Priyanka Ketkar
Iconic, historic movies, based on the lives of many famous personalities is a very common topic but what is uncommon about J. Edgar is that it is based on a personality- J. Edgar Hoover- yet untouched. In person and in reality, he may or may not have been so vibrant; his story may or may not have been so exciting but Clint Eastwood has made it into such a slick movie that at the end of the two hours you are emotionally drained yet, satisfied.
J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo Di Caprio) started off his career as an ambitious, young man with many revolutionary ideas. Call it fate, call it his talents, he got recognized quickly enough and was soon handed over the responsibility of running the Investigative Department in America. Here on, the film gives us an overview of Mr. Hoover's life as the man who took charge of FBI and changed the face of Investigation as known to the US. He served almost for 50 years, with 8 different Presidents and although he had a stunted social life, his life had enough adventure and excitement in it. Apart from his patriotic duties, his life revolved around his doting, over-possessive mother and his two loyal employees. But this man who seemed to be so possessed with his work had many dark secrets of his own. Upon revelation, they would've not just destroyed his life and career but also the reputation of many influential, famous personalities.
The movie doesn't delve into any of these for too long but the mere glimpse is sufficient to show his influence and power. The moments he shares with his buddy and co-worker Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer) are beautifully shown. His two-faceted personality with a tiger-like facade amongst the public and a young, stuttering, timid boy while with his mother is something many can feel closely. In spite of his intelligence, his passion of work and his dedication, what strikes is his loneliness; and it strikes hard. The film moves back and forth between 1919 when Mr. Hoover first started-off his career up to his death in 1972 and this transition is done very smoothly.
What the movie actually lacks is that it neither makes us feel empathetic or sympathetic nor does it make you hate that guy. You feel nothing towards him; it is like you are watching his story unfold but from a distance. Where on one hand the movie could've been a marvel, one of the best Biopic ever, it stops simply at being –"just about good". The technical aspects and the acting are the saving grace for the movie.
Leonardo Di Caprio has put up an honest and a truly spectacular show. You might not have heard of J.Edgar before, but he guarantees that you will never ever forget him. He is so involved in the role that one cannot imagine anyone else for this role. Judi Dench as the controlling, possessive mother has again done a great job. Armie Hammer is charming and impressive. Naomi Watts although has an interesting character, her role hasn't been explored well. Most of the time hence, she is seen absolutely expressionless and her relationship with him remains unclear to the viewers. Rest of the cast is not memorable as Leonardo Di Caprio and Armie Hammer hog all the limelight.
Tom Stern's cinematography is brilliant and the efforts taken to set-up the sets for the movie are visible. Not a thing is amiss in recreating the bygone days and where there are a few glitches, they are hardly noticeable (E.g.: The flash bulbs used by photographers after Emma Goldman's trial. This usage of flash bulbs wasn't started until much later).
For some, the movie might be too long, dragged, boring; maybe due to the lack of a strong story or maybe also because they don't like the documentary-like feel to it, but it is still worth getting a glimpse of this man, who was so influential in the midst of the forensic and criminological revolution. J. Edgar is indeed like a documentary nevertheless it is one that is worth watching.