J. Edgar

I must say that this is and is not a good movie. It tells the story of Hoover rising to the position that would define the way the U.S. government dealt with internal affairs: by being practical but also ruthless and even merciless. Hoover is presented as a man who is full of flaws, who is tormented by his condition of being homosexual in a very intolerant society, and who ultimately believed that all his machinations could not be questioned, not even by himself, because his way was right.

The way the story is set and how the time he lived is presented is accurate. The music is only Ok, but the way the story is told lacks of a good rhythm or pacing. Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy, Hoover's trusted secretary, and Judie Dench as Anna  Marie Hoover, Hoover's mother are wonderful but their performances suffer for the little time of their appearances.Luckily, the movie relies heavily on Di Caprio and that is right and also wrong.

Perhaps that is the problem. Really if there is something relevant about Hoover, the plot fails to present it clearly, but Leonardo saves the idea. I had the feeling sometimes that he was too big for such role. I still do. Nevertheless, though Hoover was a completely gray character to be portrayed in a movie he had his moments and Di Caprio's acting confers it, inadvertently, a little bit of an antihero's attitude. Honestly Hoover could not have asked for a better treatment and wherever he is he should thank di Caprio for lending his talent and also Clint Eastwood, the director of this film. 

If you like History and you are interested in knowing the origins of the FBI and how that office influenced, and influences, the political life of the USA you should see it.

Three stars out of five for this one.