Cinema Review – J. Edgar
Leonardo DiCaprio teams up with veteran actor and director Clint Eastwood to bring us this biopic on the very man who helped to shape the FBI, but is J. Edgar as inventive as the man it depicts? Read Tom’s review to find out…
TITLE – J. EDGAR YEAR – 2011 DIRECTOR – CLINT EASTWOOD CAST – LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ARMIE HAMMER, NAOMI WATTS WRITERS – DUSTIN LANCE BLACK
Clint Eastwood is somewhat of a bonafide legend, he has been gracing our screens with his presence for over fifty years and has been working behind the camera for fourty of those, entertaining numerous generations with his meticulous approach to acting and film-making. His latest picture, J. Edgar, is a biopic based on ‘The most powerful man in the world’ as the film tagline states so succintly, with Leonardo DiCaprio playing the leading role in what is his first collaboration with Eastwood.
With Hoover being such an inspirational and influential figure in American history, Eastwood and his writer Dustin Black (who won an Oscar for his work on Milk) seem to have struggled to focus their attention on specific parts of his life and attempt to encompass far too much of his long and prosperous career into the film. At times I felt like I was watching a strange version of The Curious case of Benjamin Button, where Hoover aged or got younger at random intervals due to the questionable techniques that Eastwood employed for the story’s flashbacks, and despite a relatively long running time, by the end of the film I was unable to empathise with any of the characters.
For those unversed in modern American history, J. Edgar Hoover is the man responsible for the inception of the FBI and he pioneered a number of crime-fighting techniques that were far ahead of their time. This should of course have led to some very exciting moments but aside from a few scenes where Hoover and his team encounter criminals, we see more action when The Public Enemy (1935) trailer is shown during a scene in the theatre.
Naomi Watts is included as a minor love interest until Hoover’s sexual orientation becomes questionable, but she fades into the background for the majority of the film which is a shame considering her talent. Hoover’s sexuality and the scenes relating to it will undoubtedly be the talking point for a large proportion of viewers, and there are times when it appears that Dustin Black has forgotten he was not writing Milk 2. Eastwood portrays this side of Hoover’s life respectfully though, and it does lead to a few touching moments near to the end of the film, as well as an upsetting scene with a certain family member.
Fresh from his breakout role in The Social Network, Armie Hammer comes along for the ride as Clyde Tolson, Hoover’s right-hand man (and love interest) who is charged with keeping the FBI director in check throughout the majority of his impressive career. Laughable prosphetics aside, Hammer proves his worth as an up and coming star with some incredibly powerful scenes that almost steal the limelight from Dicaprio’s performance, who tends to rely far too much on raising his eyebrows to convey the majority of Hoover’s emotions.
J. Edgar is far from a bad film, and if an up and coming director had helmed the picture, I’m sure it would be recognised as a worthwhile entry in their canon but coming from Eastwood it is somewhat of a disappointment. His career seems to be waning lately and as much as I respect the man and his incredible contributions to cinema I am concerned that Eastwood has had his day. This is watchable but forgettable fare, although those with a genuine interest in Hoover may be able to see past the films flaws.
FRC Rating
[starreview tpl=16 size='30']
J. EDGAR IS RELEASED NATIONALLY IN THE UK ON 20TH JANUARY 2011
Do you think that Eastwood should call it a day or is there still life in him yet? Let me know your thoughts below…
Tom Bielby
- Related:
- Armie Hammer
- clint eastwood
- leonardo dicaprio
I am pleased you liked this. I unfortunately didn’t. I found it a bit forceful in ramming home it’s points and a bit of a snorefest!!
But I am pleased you were able to take more from it than I did
I don’t think I would go as far as saying I would watch it again but there were some redeeming points and it wasn’t a complete waste of the talent involved even if it could have been far better.
I liked it too. Sparking, in fact!
Haha, couldn’t have put it better myself Mike.
Hmm… I don’t know much about J Edgar Hoover at all so I’d be watching this for Leo. Biopics are always a bit hit and miss and this does sound a bit like a miss. I might catch it when it’s out on DVD.
I know what you mean about biopics Claire, they can be very boring which often makes me wonder who decided to make a film on that person’s life? J. Edgar is in the middle of the road, worth a look just don’t expect too much.
Hi, Tom and company:
I was a kid living outside DC when J. Edgar still held plenty of political clout over JFK, his brother and AG, Bobby and later LBJ. So there’s not a lot of impetus to see an Eastwood directed bio-pic about a bureaucratic icon who had hit his zenith decades earlier.
Besides, I can only take Leo in small doses and I’ve gotten my fix with ‘Inception’.
Maybe I’ll be ready when this film shows up on HBO later this year or next.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for your comment. I am a Leo fan but he is fairly disappointing in this, Eastwood seems to have focussed too much on the more innocuous parts of Hoover’s life.
I’m not too familiar w/ American history but from my limited knowledge of J. Edgar Hoover, he seems like an intriguing persona. I might rent this one but to see it on the big screen I’m afraid I might doze off
Hi Ruth,
I’m not too familiar with American history either and from what I’ve read there are more than a few questionable events depicted in the film. It could be worth renting but unless it is something that really intrigues you I wouldn’t bother heading to the cinema.
You’re so right – coming from a man such as Eastwood this should be better. But I was bitterly disappointed with Hereafter which was far too ambiguous and the script needed major work. A part of me was looking forward to seeing this film but the lukewarm reception it has received is off-putting.
I hear you Dan, It’s a shame that his films have taken such a drastic drop in quality recently as he has made a number of classics over the past ten years.
Ah the old ‘watchable but forgettable’ summation. Do any any two words combined strike more fear into the hearts of film fans everywhere than these? I think your review is firm but fair Tom. I haven’t seen J.Edgar yet (and I say ‘yet’ tentatively) but after reading so many, not quite negative but just not impressed enough reviews, I don’t think I’ll bother. Your thoughts seem to agree with what Empire called ‘A well acted but unfocused study of one of the 20th century’s most colourful characters’. Good review Tom, thanks for this!
Thanks for your comment Ronan. It is a shame to pronounce an Eastwood film watchable but forgettable and whilst there are still some signs of greatness, the film as a whole just doesn’t gel. Probably one to rent if you are intent on taking a look.
Hi Tom.
I avoided this one due to its quickly spread reputation of being what Scott said: “a snorefest”
I may try to see it when they show it on AMC but I am very picky now about the biopics I choose to watch.
Glad you liked it. Great review!
Thanks for your comment, although it wasn’t a bad effort and has its merits I think you’ve made the right decision in waiting till it shows up on TV.
Watched this at the flicks today. I would give it a 5.5 out of 10. It’s OK, but that is about it. DiCaprio is good in the role, but on the whole the film makes you keep looking at your watch to see how much longer is left. if it were anyone but Leo in the role, I would give it a 4. His last 3 films were waaaay better.
I know what you mean Lou, Leo is a brilliant actor and for some reason there seemed to be a lot of stifled emotion in his role. I thought his performance was okay but he has definitely been far better in previous films.