J. Edgar

During eight presidential administrations, John Edgar Hoover oversaw the primary investigative body of the United States of America. Charged with combating major crime on a nation-wide level and collating counterintelligence, the longest serving the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation amassed significant influence and enemies throughout his 48 years at the helm. Accordingly, the man known as J. Edgar remains a considerable figure of 20th century American history, even four decades after his death. Acclaimed actor turned director Clint Eastwood contemplates the controversial figure in the film that bears his name.

Spanning his early public service tenure to his passing in 1972, J. Edgar is more an assortment of anecdotes than a traditional biopic. As Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception) recounts his career to an agent assigned as his biographer (Ed Westwick, Chalet Girl), he recalls his achievements and challenges, as well as the influence and importance of his mother Anna Marie (Judi Dench, Jane Eyre), personal secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts, Fair Game) and right-hand man Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer, The Social Network).

As such, the film jumps between time periods and events to provide a portrait of the face of American law enforcement for half a century. Yet in taking such a fragmented approach to the tale, it presents a disjointed rather than decisive picture of his ambiguous professional and personal dealings. Some incidents – particularly those pertaining to his relationship with Tolson – are afforded ample screen time, whilst others – the bulk of his investigatory actions – are merely glossed over. The end result is a muddled melodrama that shuns the man for his myth.

Indeed, much of the movie appears designed to demonstrate Hoover’s longevity instead of his legacy. Mirrored sequences showing the passage of time are common, yet remain redundant in their repetition. Ineffectuality also underscores the efforts of the 21-strong make-up department to age the central cast as the years progress. Although their work is continually highlighted by the film’s non-linear timing, it never convinces.

Combined with Eastwood’s (Hereafter) sluggish direction and Dustin Lance Black’s (Milk) standard script, it is left to the performers to invest emotion into proceedings. Whilst each is acceptable, they are unable to overcome the feature’s pervasive emptiness, resulting in an offering devoid of sentiment. As such, J. Edgar is a careful yet incomplete character study of a figure worthy of more interest. Fussy instead of fascinating, it remains uneven, inconsistent and unconvincing.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

J. Edgar
Director: Clint Eastwood
USA, 2011, 137 min

Distributor: Roadshow
Rated TBA
In cinemas national Thursday January 26, 2012