J. Edgar (2011)

J. Edgar Review

A mildly entertaining biopic on a controversial figure.

(Source: Collider)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Genre: Biographical Film/Drama

Running Time: 137 minutes

Stubs Rating: 2.5/5

How much does mankind crave for the sake of fame and success? Will he or she go to great length to gain that prestigious fame and glory? Or will they use immoral and unscrupulous means to gain that sort of recognition and personal achievement.

Nonetheless, countless people have repeatedly said that fame and success will only be achieved through determination, perseverance and effort. But will you sacrifice your dignity and reputation in exchange for fame and adoration? And just like the character Mr. Irwin explained it best in the opening scene of J. Edgar that those who ought to seek adoration and fame without any restraint will ultimately lead to the path of villainy.

(Source: Collider)

Legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood’s take on the intelligent and visionary FBI director J. Edgar Hoover is straightforward and breathtaking but at times muddled with underdeveloped sub-plots that drag the story. The story of J. Edgar revolves around John Edgar Hoover’s years in the police force from his teen years until his demise in the year 1972, from his visionary on using fingerprints as a crucial database for criminal investigation to his well-kept secret of his sexuality.

(Source: Collider)

The film J. Edgar brilliantly presents the audience a classic example of a well-admired and glorious character with dark personalities that would eventually shattered his legacies and reputation. As always, Leonardo DiCaprio played J. Edgar Hoover with ease from portraying a passionate and determined FBI director determined to put the criminals behind bars, but at the same able to portray the selfish and dangerous side of the character.

Both Armie Hammer and Dame Judi Dench also played Agent Clyde Toulson and Anne Marie Hoover respectively without fault with Armie Hammer shining as the sidekick to DiCaprio’s J. Edgar Hoover. Armie portrayed Agent Toulson as a more composed and charming person compared to the selfish and brash Hoover. However, Naomi Watts’ take on Hoover’s secretary Helen Gandy was one-dimensional and did not add much depth to the character.

(Source: Collider)

Besides, with so many areas to focus on the central character John Edgar Hoover, the film at times loses its central focus and it does not help with occasional weak editing that somehow drags the movie at times. At times, the film tries to focus on his visionary and pioneering work in the FBI, and in another moment it overly focuses on his homosexuality and then another focused on his selfish and disregarding acts by blackmailing the President or firing other FBI agents.

Both Clint Eastwood and Leonardo DiCaprio tried their utter best to provide a compelling and wholesome story of John Edgar Hoover, but ultimately J. Edgar is a mediocre biopic that sheds little light on the subject itself and at times confuses the audience with poorly structured storytelling.