J. Edgar (2011)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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The Film Code

This is an biographical drama film based on the life of J. Edgar Hoover's. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's first director. It starts with the Palmer Raids and follows his personal life, as told from himself, to the end of his life in 1972.

This film was directed by Clint Eastwood. This film s very different from his previous films, and not his best. The story gets highly confusing in its method of being told. It begins with J. Edgar telling his life story to another federal agent. There is a sideline story that follows him in his current life facing his downfall. Towards the end of the story, it is revealed that his greatest reveal to the FBI, and to the audience, was mainly a lie. This makes the story highly confusing, but it also present an adequate picture of a conflicted man. It shows the denial and his fight for change (in criminal investigations) of himself to everyone around him. The dark lightening of the film hurt in that you could never fully see any hidden details, but it gave the film a secretive feel. The aging make-up was poorly done and made it unbelievable that the characters had aged. This film does present an accurate portrayal of life in the 1900's, and how events led to the greatest fears of Communism overthrow.

This film had a great cast that made the film believable and powerful. Leonardo DiCaprio played the leading role of J. Edgar Hoover. He gave Hoover a very powerful performance while showing his own inner conflicts, and his own personal denial. Arnie Hammer played the role of Agent Clyde Tolson. He was good in his limited role. He presented the confliction within Hoover, and also his strength. Judi Dench played the role of Anna Hoover. Naomi Watts played the role of Helen Gandy. She was good playing her small role in keeping Hoover's darkest secrets... well secret. The two present two different sides of the single character, and it works greatly for the film.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It has several faults, but its amazing acting saves it. DiCaprio's performance is brilliant in this film.

Answer to last blog: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, Contagion, also starred in the film The Royal Tenenbaums.

Que: What other film has actor/director Clint Eastwood directed?

Dirty Harry
The Changeling
Joe Kidd
Blood Diamond