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J. Edgar

Play trailer Poster for J. Edgar R Released Nov 11, 2011 2h 17m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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44% Tomatometer 242 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) becomes one of America's most-powerful men. Serving through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover utilizes methods both ruthless and heroic to keep his country safe. Projecting a guarded persona in public and in private, he lets few into his inner circle. Among those closest to him are his protege and constant companion, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), and Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), his loyal secretary.
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J. Edgar

J. Edgar

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Critics Consensus

Leonardo DiCaprio gives a predictably powerhouse performance, but J. Edgar stumbles in all other departments with cheesy makeup, poor lighting, confusing narrative, and humdrum storytelling.

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Critics Reviews

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David Thomson The New Republic The Hoover material is ugly and very American, and it might have made an authentic monster story. But the picture offered is muddled, cautious, and at cross purposes. Jun 20, 2013 Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com It is a solid, expertly crafted biopic, and while it doesn't dive as deeply into its enigmatic central figure as I'd hoped it would that didn't make sitting in the theatre watching every single one of its 137 minutes any less enjoyable. Rated: 3/4 Jan 27, 2012 Full Review Dan Stewart Little White Lies This muddled melodrama adds up to a missed opportunity. Rated: 2/5 Jan 20, 2012 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review By the end, we don’t understand Hoover any more than we did when the film began. Rated: 2/4 Mar 6, 2023 Full Review James Croot Stuff.co.nz File under fascinating, but seriously flawed. Rated: 2.5/5 Mar 2, 2023 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins An exquisitely made piece. Rated: 7/10 Nov 30, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Eye C A slow movie, and messy… Mr. Eastwood doesn’t defines the point of this movie and it feels ambiguous. Leo DiCaprio is the best of the movie I have to say. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/02/24 Full Review Michael H Another great one by the greatest living director around. DiCaprio is perfectly cast and the whole movie shines. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review A.L.Jude P Why negative reviews when things said here what no one will remember or talk about ? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/08/24 Full Review Blu B I'm glad this isn't a puff piece that is basically an advertisement for the FBI recruitment. But there is a lack of a cohseive story also. First off the acting isn't that good here and it's not for a lack of trying. Everyone is going for the Oscar here and giving it there all. But there is no human connection to be found a lot of times and J. Edgar himself as a character is really boring. The STUFF he does is fasinating but that's hampered by a terrible script. While the things he is as a person is almost never explored outside of his relationship with Clyde which feels very sloppy in how it was handled. There is no emotion, charm, chemistry, or any humor (or dark humor) at all. Just full seriousness the entire way with bland uninteresting characters all around. The cinematography is even worse and just bad all around. First off half the time it's so dark you can barely see everything and it feels terribly lifeless and boring to look at the entire runtime. There is truly not one setting or shot I remember mainly because the lighting is SOOOOO dark and lifeless. The music isn't good either and is barely music. It's the same 2-3 piano keys being hit every 20 minutes briefly. The editing and pacing are terrible but the editing is arguably the worst part. It's handled very sloppy and messy overall. Once Hoover becomes Head of the FBI it feels like stuff just happens as we jump back and forth between his past and present and it's always so abrupt that your not even sure what just happened. Than it jumps around between his relationship with Clyde, the Lindburgh baby which felt pointless, the "plot twist" which felt pointless, and dozens of other side acheivements that never add up to a cohesive story. This leads to a REALLY boring biopic overall that also isn't even clear what it's trying to get across half the time. You feel nothing for Hoover at all despite DiCaprio giving his soul in this performance and even he is just ok because of the botched execution, confusing story, and boring characters. Skip This. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/12/24 Full Review Tyler M DiCaprio delivers a commendable performance, attempting to anchor the film amidst a convoluted narrative that at times resembles a TV special. Unfortunately, the story's disarray diminishes the impact of this portrayal of a complex historical figure. The curious use of a dull color palette further accentuates a sense of stagnation, contributing to the overall lackluster atmosphere. Regrettably, the distracting application of old-age makeup disrupts immersion and even brings to mind amusing comparisons, reminiscent of Tom Cruise's exaggerated look in the comedic impersonation of "Famous Austin." Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/16/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is now more timely than ever. It’s worth your time. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) becomes one of America's most-powerful men. Serving through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover utilizes methods both ruthless and heroic to keep his country safe. Projecting a guarded persona in public and in private, he lets few into his inner circle. Among those closest to him are his protege and constant companion, Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), and Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), his loyal secretary.
Director
Clint Eastwood
Producer
Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Robert Lorenz
Screenwriter
Dustin Lance Black
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Malpaso Company
Rating
R (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.3M
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital
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