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      J. Edgar

      2011, Biography/History, 2h 17m

      248 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      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. Read critic reviews

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      J. Edgar  Photos

      (L-R) Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson, Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Judi Dench as Anne Marie Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio (center) as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Judi Dench as Anne Marie Hoover in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson, Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Stephen Root (center) as Arthur Koehler in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio (center) as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Damon Herriman as Bruno Hauptmann and Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Josh Lucas as Charles Lindbergh in "J. Edgar." Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Damon Herriman as Bruno Hauptmann and Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson and Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Judi Dench as Anne Marie Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson and Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." A scene from "J. Edgar." Judi Dench as Ann Marie Hoover in "J. Edgar."

      Movie Info

      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.

      • Rating: R (Brief Strong Language)

      • Genre: Biography, History, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Clint Eastwood

      • Producer: Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Robert Lorenz

      • Writer: Dustin Lance Black

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $37.3M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

      • Production Co: Malpaso Company

      • Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

      Cast & Crew

      Leonardo DiCaprio
      Naomi Watts
      Armie Hammer
      Josh Lucas
      Judi Dench
      Ken Howard
      Gunner Wright
      David A. Cooper
      Jeffrey Donovan
      Dermot Mulroney
      Denis O'Hare
      Damon Herriman
      Stephen Root
      Jessica Hecht
      Josh Hamilton
      Tim Moore
      Erica Huggins
      Tom Stern
      Joel Cox
      Gary D. Roach
      James J. Murakami
      Deborah Hopper
      Clint Eastwood
      Greg Berry
      Gary Fettis

      News & Interviews for J. Edgar

      Critic Reviews for J. Edgar

      Audience Reviews for J. Edgar

      • Jan 14, 2017

        J. Edgar was a somewhat confusing narrative, although it was well acted. The story content is almost boring in a sense when I really think about it, there are tons of dull parts. This is the kind of film I can appreciate, but would not watch again.

        Super Reviewer
      • Nov 22, 2013

        [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 26, 2013

        A little long and somewhat boring/slow at times, but the acting was very good.

        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 05, 2013

        MAD HOOVER DOES NOT SUCK OK, forget the make-up on poor old Clyde Tolson, Hoover's gay 'partner', especially in the stroke scene at the end. It is beyond terrible. But this well written, acted and directed take on the life and career of the FBI founder is very good indeed, if you have half a brain. Eastwood and Shane Black are clear about Hoover as a person, and as an American icon - he was driven, mad, a repressed homosexual, who used his office to glorify himself and wield incredible power for an unelected figure. And yet.... He also contributed greatly to the modernisation of police work (imagine the CSI without Hoover), and championed the use of real evidence in criminal proscecutions. I found it a more truthful portrait than any other, as no villain sees himself as evil, but as good. DeCaprio is excellent throughtout the film. He plays Hoover at all stages of his worklife, and the make up on him is pretty good. It is during his rise that DeCaprio shines through as the quality performer. It may sound odd, but he has blossomed into a great actor, as De Niro predicted, with excellent performances in Scorsese's films and so many others. His baby face may still be there, but he is a formidable actor; along with Day Lewis, one of the very best of his generation. The convoluted nature of the storytelling is intelligent, but sometimes undermines the force of the film. It is difficult to find the governing idea - that one man's life, no matter how flawed, can still be great? That one man's flaws can overwhelm whatever good a man does? This did not make the film a waste of time, it made it interesting. It was left to the audience to ask and answer these big questions, and I, for one, found myself fascinated.

        Super Reviewer

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