J. Edgar

The most powerful man in the world.

The story of J. Edgar Hoover, the man who built the FBI and remained its top dog for almost 40 years, shows a man who realized early on the need for a more efficient and scientific way to fight crime, but who lost his soul because of a life led in denial and marred by delusions and obsessions. Sounds riveting, but there’s a dynamic missing here and that’s only reinforced by the oppressive, desaturated look and feel of the film. Still, Leonardo DiCaprio is very good (even in his old-age makeup, although he lacks the voice to go with it) and the script handles its challenges credibly enough.

2011-U.S. 137 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced by Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Robert Lorenz. Music and direction by Clint Eastwood. Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar Hoover), Armie Hammer (Clyde Tolson), Naomi Watts (Helen Gandy), Judi Dench, Josh Lucas, Jeffrey Donovan… Dermot Mulroney.

Trivia: Charlize Theron was allegedly first cast as Gandy.