'J. Edgar' Digs into FBI's Closet

J. Edgar Hoover ruled the FBI for decades, nosing around in the private lives of his enemies and friends. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Hoover in Clint Eastwood’s film about one of the most powerful Americans of the last century.

J. Edgar focuses on those closest to Hoover: mother Annie Hoover (Judi Dench), secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), and FBI associate director and Hoover companion Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer).

DiCaprio, 37, as an aging Hoover is a stretch at times, and I don’t know whether he’s Oscar-worthy in a film full of award possibilities.

The movie does a great job revealing the top cop's obsession with commies and radicals. It also portrays Hoover as a man always searching for the spotlight while keeping many secrets of his own.

The best thing about this film is the relationship between Hoover and Tolson. That relationship has never been clear, and J. Edgar sticks with the facts: The two were never married, worked side by side for decades and never missed a meal together—and don't you miss this movie.

The Flick-o-Meter gives J. Edgar four out of five. It is a solid film about a troubled man with too much power.

Was J. Edgar Hoover a Tell us in the comments.

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