_Movie
Review: J. Edgar
Sarah Walker
One of the major motion pictures released in theaters this fall included the highly anticipated Clint Eastwood film, J. Edgar. With Leonardo DiCaprio taking the lead role, expectations for the film and actor were held high. Americans and critics alike crave recent entertainment. For some it’s the plot, the exceptional acting—while others are delighted by the animations, costume design, makeup, or selected actors. Eastwood’s film hasall the above, along with a unique history lesson intertwined with his depiction of a mistrustful man, J. Edgar Hoover.
Unlike most films about famous politics in The United States, Harvey Milk, Frost/Nixon, All the Kings Men and many more, much remains unknown about J. Edgar Hoover. He was best known for the founding of the FBI agency in the 1900s and therefore the first director, until his death in the 70s. Later during Hoovers legacy is when speculation began. Many started to investigate his methods that may have been illegal on some accounts. Hoover was also considered to be hiding behind or using the FBI to mold situations into his desired outcome. Blackmail on certain political leaders was Hoover’s greatest manipulation tactics—the Kennedy’s and Martin Luther King Junior were just a few out of the many who unfortunately fell under his vices. Beneath the surface of Hoover’s obsession with work and getting always trying to get ahead, a confused, insecure man was hiding underneath. It is speculated that one of these most prominent insecurities was his sexuality, many felt Hoover may have been a closeted homosexual.
Taking all of this in, Hoover’s controversial and busy life would clearly make an interesting film. That is exactly what Eastwood has done. With technology and the unique makeup designs in the 21st century, DiCaprio and costar Armie Hammer were able to portray the older and younger versions of their character in a realistic manner. Although it is hard to capture Hoover’s life entirely, since his legacy spanned for many years in the FBI, Eastwood highlighted the clearest and most controversial dealings during the time.
The film’s opening scene is Hoover in his latest years of his life, then starting with the flashbacks, the first right after World War I. Here the audience sees Hoover progress with his research—collecting evidence at crime scenes that police enforcement never thought to retrieve. Hoover’s complied items is what starts his new investigation system, then asking the government to fund his research and eventually label his company as the Federal Bureul of Investigation. The film takes a spin—Hoover’s juicy supposed secrets are delivered to the audience in a crude, realistic, yet subtle manner.
Beneath the surface of Hoover’s occupation, was a sentimental man struggling with his sexuality, or so they thought. When Hoover first interviews the young Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer) his flashy white smile is one of the first recognizable traits. The second is how nervous he made the always confident Hoover. From then on Tolson became Hoover’s right hand man. Whether during the dirty job of investigation or outside the office, the two are always together, promising one another during a quiet cab ride to “ never miss a meal” with each other, “ no matter what”.
DiCaprio plays a role unlike like any other. Because Hoover was such a dynamic man, DiCaprio had to capture every angle. His character when working with the FBI was intimidating—played with poise and confidence. When the scene switched and Hoover was seen struggling with his sexuality, that confidence seen in the office now lacked at home. There could not have been a better man to play the part, DiCaprio’s portrayal was realistic, yet not over-bearing. He always left the audience wondering with what demons possessed this man and what was actually real.
Although there are many speculation to who Hoover was and whether or not the film was completely accurate, Eastwood constructed a hypothetical film that paralleled with much of the information know about Hoover. Since many of Hoover’s files disappeared, it would be rather hard to fabricate a film with absolute accuracy. Hoover’s career spanned for over a decade and Eastwood, along with the selected phenomenal actors, compiled the most interesting and seemingly accurate information to produce a film that is inconceivable and well worth the now eleven dollars to see in theaters.
Sarah Walker
One of the major motion pictures released in theaters this fall included the highly anticipated Clint Eastwood film, J. Edgar. With Leonardo DiCaprio taking the lead role, expectations for the film and actor were held high. Americans and critics alike crave recent entertainment. For some it’s the plot, the exceptional acting—while others are delighted by the animations, costume design, makeup, or selected actors. Eastwood’s film hasall the above, along with a unique history lesson intertwined with his depiction of a mistrustful man, J. Edgar Hoover.
Unlike most films about famous politics in The United States, Harvey Milk, Frost/Nixon, All the Kings Men and many more, much remains unknown about J. Edgar Hoover. He was best known for the founding of the FBI agency in the 1900s and therefore the first director, until his death in the 70s. Later during Hoovers legacy is when speculation began. Many started to investigate his methods that may have been illegal on some accounts. Hoover was also considered to be hiding behind or using the FBI to mold situations into his desired outcome. Blackmail on certain political leaders was Hoover’s greatest manipulation tactics—the Kennedy’s and Martin Luther King Junior were just a few out of the many who unfortunately fell under his vices. Beneath the surface of Hoover’s obsession with work and getting always trying to get ahead, a confused, insecure man was hiding underneath. It is speculated that one of these most prominent insecurities was his sexuality, many felt Hoover may have been a closeted homosexual.
Taking all of this in, Hoover’s controversial and busy life would clearly make an interesting film. That is exactly what Eastwood has done. With technology and the unique makeup designs in the 21st century, DiCaprio and costar Armie Hammer were able to portray the older and younger versions of their character in a realistic manner. Although it is hard to capture Hoover’s life entirely, since his legacy spanned for many years in the FBI, Eastwood highlighted the clearest and most controversial dealings during the time.
The film’s opening scene is Hoover in his latest years of his life, then starting with the flashbacks, the first right after World War I. Here the audience sees Hoover progress with his research—collecting evidence at crime scenes that police enforcement never thought to retrieve. Hoover’s complied items is what starts his new investigation system, then asking the government to fund his research and eventually label his company as the Federal Bureul of Investigation. The film takes a spin—Hoover’s juicy supposed secrets are delivered to the audience in a crude, realistic, yet subtle manner.
Beneath the surface of Hoover’s occupation, was a sentimental man struggling with his sexuality, or so they thought. When Hoover first interviews the young Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer) his flashy white smile is one of the first recognizable traits. The second is how nervous he made the always confident Hoover. From then on Tolson became Hoover’s right hand man. Whether during the dirty job of investigation or outside the office, the two are always together, promising one another during a quiet cab ride to “ never miss a meal” with each other, “ no matter what”.
DiCaprio plays a role unlike like any other. Because Hoover was such a dynamic man, DiCaprio had to capture every angle. His character when working with the FBI was intimidating—played with poise and confidence. When the scene switched and Hoover was seen struggling with his sexuality, that confidence seen in the office now lacked at home. There could not have been a better man to play the part, DiCaprio’s portrayal was realistic, yet not over-bearing. He always left the audience wondering with what demons possessed this man and what was actually real.
Although there are many speculation to who Hoover was and whether or not the film was completely accurate, Eastwood constructed a hypothetical film that paralleled with much of the information know about Hoover. Since many of Hoover’s files disappeared, it would be rather hard to fabricate a film with absolute accuracy. Hoover’s career spanned for over a decade and Eastwood, along with the selected phenomenal actors, compiled the most interesting and seemingly accurate information to produce a film that is inconceivable and well worth the now eleven dollars to see in theaters.