J. Edgar

R

Released Nov 11, 2011

2 hr. 17 min.

Biography

History

Drama

List

43%

248 Reviews

Tomatometer

44%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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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

Rusty23222

Touching and honest. Thank you miter Eastwood.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/23

Full Review

isla s

This is quite a stylish film, set in a dark, almost film noir type tone, with low(ish) lighting and most of the film seems to be predominantly in greyscale colours - blacks and whites with few other colours clearly visible, other than skin colour. It has the feel of an early to mid 20th century crime film. I can't say I knew much at all about the titular character before I saw the film, so it was certainly somewhat enlightening. It shows his personal issues, turmoils and the like. DiCaprio does reasonably well as the head of the FBI, although I thought the makeup wasn't especially impressive as I felt I could tell where it started and ended. Also; cast wise, I admit, I was surprised to see Dame Judi Dench as his mother. The way the film plays out makes it pretty clear how concerned and perhaps nervous (although showed via anger) he was about personal issues becoming common knowledge. Its sad that this should have been such an concern as nowadays I'd like to think that would no longer be the case but of course this film is set over 50 years ago, when things were certainly different. There were some relatively exciting frantic crime related scenes at times and I found it quite watchable overall. I found it particularly interesting to see how Mr Hoover reacted to people's assumptions and comments made about both himself and his involvement in activities relating to the FBI. Its a bit of a slow watch, being mostly dialogue based but I did feel it was certainly thought provoking and it felt fairly solid as a film in general. There aren't a lot of especially greast aspects I suppose but it is pretty immersive I suppose, with the low lighting and a feeling of intrigue in terms of how he'd react/respond to things. There is a certain air of suspense around, although its by no means a particularly tense or gripping watch overall but then I suppose most people watching it probably are aware of the story of the titular characters life already. Certainly J Edgar comes across as a passionate and principled person who believes wholeheartedly in the value of the FBI. Its a pretty solid watch and so I'd say its worth a watch overall if its of particular interest to you.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Leonardo DiCaprio

J. Edgar Hoover

Naomi Watts

Helen Gandy

Armie Hammer

Clyde Tolson

Josh Lucas

Charles Lindbergh

Judi Dench

Annie Hoover

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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

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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
Executive Producer: Tim Moore, Erica Huggins
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
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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