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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 The Post 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

View All (1000+) audience reviews
thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/27/25 Full Review Faiz D Absolutely brilliant performance by Leonardo DiCaprio. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review D P Sleepy film, but it wasn't torture. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
J. Edgar

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Cast & Crew

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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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J. Edgar

Leonardo DiCaprio (center) as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy 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." View more photos

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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