Review: 'J. Edgar' Offers An Interesting Slice Of History

By Michael Lopez

Most of us have heard the name J. Edgar Hoover mentioned in schoolbooks or on History Channel specials. But until now, his life story had yet to be properly adapted for the big screen. This past weekend, Clint Eastwood and Leonardo DiCaprio changed all that. Their intriguing biopic, J. Edgar, shows an interesting, unseen side to the man who founded the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Yup, believe it or not, the FBI would not exist today if weren't for the efforts of Hoover. But rather than focus on tommy guns and crime solving, J. Edgar offers a glimpse into 1930's social taboos and the complexities of one of America's most highly-regarded heroes.

Of course, you may not have too high of an opinion of Hoover after seeing some of his shady FBI tactics. In his nearly 40-year-reign as the Bureau's director, J. Edgar ruled via blackmail and fear. Worse yet, he purposely targeted Americans like Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy because of communist paranoia.

But part of what makes J. Edgar click is the explorations about why Hoover behaved the way he did. Shortly after the credits roll, we see a side of the icon that was most certainly hid from the public. There's his overbearing mother, his constant self-doubt, and his homosexual tendencies that he constantly tried to bury.

Leo does a fantastic job conveying J. Edgar's complexities. It is particularly fascinating to watch the way he acts out his scenes with costar Armie Hammer (who plays Hoover's right-hand man, Clyde Tolson). Though their love affair is never fully realized onscreen, you can see a romance form between the two men.

Clint Eastwood also deserves a lot of credit for the tone and mood he sets with this film. The entire story spans 50+ years and, in that time, you get to see interesting glimpses of 20th century America. He also has a way of making you feel a bit of sympathy for Hoover and the troubled life he was born into.

Bottom line: We wouldn't be surprised if DiCaprio scores his first Oscar off this movie. His performance is gruff, sensitive, and stoic all rolled into one. And Hammer (who had previously appeared in The Social Network) showcases some excellent acting chops too. For the record, J. Edgar is a bit long and may come off somewhat slow in parts. But anyone with an interest in American history (or the FBI for that matter) should definitely seek it out.

Have you seen J. Edgar yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Armie Hammer, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Clint Eastwood, Clyde Tolson, FBI, History, J. Edgar, J. Edgar Hoover, Leonardo DiCaprio, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás