J. Edgar Movie Review

Title: J. Edgar

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer (‘The Social Network’), Naomi Watts and Judi Dench

Preserving your place in history and protecting your reputation while maintaining your privacy is important to many people, particularly those in the government and the public spotlight. But the rise of fame and struggle to hold onto power often leads people to question the intentions of those around them. Such is the case with the FBI’s first director, J. Edgar Hoover, as seen in the new biographical drama ‘J. Edgar,’ directed by Clint Eastwood. While only a select few understand the struggles of being the director of the FBI, many viewers will surely understand the feeling of testing loyalties, both at home and in their private lives.

‘J. Edgar’ chronicles the rise, and later professional and personal lives, of the FBI leader (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). As the head of the government agency for nearly 50 years, through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover often bent the rules and exaggerated to protect his country. Hoover placed great value in keeping secrets, and wasn’t afraid to use what he knew to maintain authority over leading figures in America.

In his later years, Edgar relayed his life story to Agent Smith (portrayed by Ed Westwick), including the loyalty he expected from those closest to him, such as his colleague and companion, Clyde Tolson (played by Armie Hammer), and secretary, Helen Gandy (portrayed by Naomi Watts). Edgar also relayed the importance of the investigation into the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr., his distrust of Richard Nixon and most importantly, his endless quest to please his mother, Anna Marie (played by Judi Dench).

‘J. Edgar’ screenwriter Dustin Lance Black crafted an intriguing, emotional look into the personal aspects of Hoover’s highly-guarded life. While the FBI director was a well-known public figure during his life, he rarely allowed the public see the intimate interactions that formed his closest relationships. Black found the right balance of not only showing Hoover’s determination of winning the public’s support and admiration, but also his struggle to feel loved and protected at home.

Spawning the biography from Hoover’s first interest in the law, as he witnessed the Bolshevick invasions in 1919, right up to his death, when he was growing ever more suspicious of Nixon, showcased his expansive transformation. Eastwood’s decision to present the story from the FBI director’s point-of-view allows the public to see what Hoover was really like. He started his career with good intentions, as he was dedicated to stopping criminals and gangsters. But his paranoia ultimately led him to question everyone’s motives and loyalties. Wanting to please everyone and keep their admiration, Hoover continuously lied about his successes and triumphs.

Much like Hoover, DiCaprio was ambitious with his work, taking on the role of the FBI director in ‘J. Edgar,’ as it spanned his life from his early twenties to his death, at the age of 77. The actor genuinely aged and transformed with the role, both physically and emotionally. DiCaprio surprisingly looked the part of Hoover, both young and old, with the impressive work of prosthetic makeup effects artists Sian Grigg and Duncan Jarman. After doing extensive research to prepare for his role, DiCaprio also convincingly brought Hoover’s manipulative and charming attributes to the screen. Like the FBI director, the actor became so dedicated to his work that his endless concentration heavily influenced the decisions that he made.

One of the more heated subjects of ‘J. Edgar’ is Eastwood’s decision to speculate on Hoover’s sexuality, and his close relationship with Tolson. While the two never spoke about their personal relationship, DiCaprio and Hammer’s natural bond made it believable that Hoover and Tolson enjoyed each other’s companionship. Despite their professional success, the two both understood each other’s loneliness and feelings of isolation. Much like Tolson, Hammer brought a believable energy to his job, making his working relationship with his closest colleague genuine.

Despite taking place over a 50-year period in the 20th century, ‘J. Edgar’ surprisingly relates to today’s audience, as it showed Hoover constantly trying to manipulate the media. Hoover always wanted to change his image, and make the public believe he was a success, much like people today are continuously trying to shape their images on-line. Wanting to keep his private life secret and separate from his work, Hoover insisted on dictating and controlling what went into his memoirs; that way, the public will always see him the way he wanted to be remembered.

Intent on protecting America from foreign enemies, Hoover helped build the precedence the FBI still uses today during his 50-year career in government. DiCaprio skillfully brought the FBI director’s determination to defend his country with his conflicting personal struggle to find, and keep, love to the screen. Combined with his natural bond with Hammer, which helped build Hoover’s portrayal of Tolson, and the message that people will do whatever it takes to protect their private and professional lives, ‘J. Edgar’ is an intriguing look into the life of the FBI’s first director.

Technical: B+

Written by: Karen Benardello