J. Edgar. Bring your hankie
I wasn't sure what to expect from "J. Edgar," based on lukewarm-to-decent reviews, but I'll tell you that I certainly did not expect to cry as much as I did.
I have no love for Hoover's career, save that I do agree that having centralized crime information is a good idea. I do not, however, believe as Hoover did, that every person in this country, whether they've committed crimes or not, should have their personal information, including fingerprints, on file at the FBI. I also detested his methods of intimidation and his extreme self-aggrandizement. Hoover had too much power and was a dangerous man because of it.
But that's only half the story of Hoover's life. As most people on my flist probably know, Hoover had a decades-long relationship with Agent Clyde Tolson. This part of Hoover's life was brought painfully to the fore, so much that I felt very sorry for a man I always thought was just as dangerous as any of the criminals he pursued.
The film once again brought home to me the absolute horror of being forced to live a double life. Both Hoover and Tolson could have been ruined by any number of people. Only Hoover's power and astonishing ability to gather equally ruinous information about other people kept the two of them safe.
The film seemed even-handed, and I think director Clint Eastwood accomplished that by interspersing scenes of Hoover's professional life with painful scenes of his private life. Leonardo DiCaprio was excellent as Hoover, as was Judi Dench as his overbearing mother. I was afraid the role of Helen Gandy, Hoover's long-time personal secretary, would end up being a milquetoast role, but Naomi Watts made her absolutely essential to the story.
I had never heard of Armie Hammer, who portrayed Clyde Tolson, before tonight. This was a tough role for any actor, playing second fiddle but being just as important to the story, but Hammer was up to the task. This guy will break your heart, folks. Guaranteed.
I think a lot has been said about the aging makeup used on the actors. DiCaprio's and Watts' makeup looked great as they aged, but I think a better job could have been done on Hammer's. We didn't really get to see him much in the middle of his life, so the change from young to old was far too startling.
Oh, yes, and Dustin Lance Black did an excellent job on the script.
If the film is still playing near you, give it a go. I don't think you'll be disappointed.