Sunday, January 29, 2012

MOVIE REVIEW ... J. EDGAR

 

j edgar posterWhen handled well cinematic biographies can be compelling.  A subject’s personality with many facets helps spin a story in any direction.  ‘J. Edgar’ tries valiantly as it charts one of the 20th   century’s most powerful men.  Only vaguely succeeding, the measured study of power and its consequences attempts to paint an intimate portrait of someone whose influence was felt for generations.

As head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) exerted immense authority.  Pursuing crime with intense zeal, he wasn’t above blackmailing others to achieve his aims.   Using buried secrets against them even though his background had its own.  His relationships with FBI Deputy Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), his mother Anne (Judi Dench) and his secretary Helen (Naomi Watts) reveal a personal life full of contradictions.  Hiding these with as much fervour as his skills in gaining further supremacy, his actions define his era.

Directed by Clint Eastwood ‘J. Edgar’ is one of his less stellar outings.  The ingredients are there for a very interesting story although only occasionally does its potential surface.  The script tries too hard to examine Hoover’s entire career where perhaps exploring one aspect of may have been better.  This lack of narrative focus harms proceedings – especially when it casually flits back and forth through the timeline without any much needed exposition.

Whilst it touches on Hoover’s personal and professional life, there’s a feeling Eastwood is pulling his punches.  Hoover was an enigma and trying to accurately portray him would be difficult however his hard-line tactics are well known and aren’t effectively shown.  There are moments when the acting feels far too theatrical although Hammer is very good while DiCaprio does what he can in an unevenly written role. 

Lacking the passion that makes such bio-pics compelling ‘J. Edgar’ is a disappointing Eastwood venture. But even the least of his work still has interest and serves as an appetiser for those wanting to discover more about a man fitting the phrase ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’.

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Movie Review Rating 6 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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