On a warm balmy evening,myself and a newly acquired friend moseyed on down to the beautiful Rivoli Cinemas in Camberwell.
The movie we chose was Clint Eastwood's epic biog on J. Edgar Hoover (the first director of the FBI)
Before this movie, the name J Edgar Hoover meant little to me. Accordingly,his private life was kept as well hidden as his precious political files.
The movie reveals a vigilant "Edgar" who has his eye on the prize from an early age. A powerful orator (after conquering a childhood stammer) who strived for perfection from himself and undying devotion from the people around him.
The film also denotes a man who is unable to break free from the unyielding power of his deranged mother (played predictably by Dame Judi Dench) I believe Judi gets these roles merely for that fact that she is a Dame. An English accent for obvious reasons was wrong here.
The film follows a confusing non linear format where within one scene there could up to three juxtaposed eras of time covered. I personally struggle with this type of film making. I believe dense subject matter like this with action narratives require a non deviating format for their ultimate impact to be revealed.
By the time we discovered who the Lindebergh kidnapper was; I couldn't have given a shit!
The script by Dustin Lance Black was applaudable but I felt that some of Edgar's speeches became repetitive and started to loose their punch.
Despite being responsible for the production and musical score of this movie, Eastwood is ultimately the actors director.
I remember Sean Penn fondly referring to him on the set of "Mystic River" as "The MAN". That he never announced himself as a director, he offerred himself...(I love that)
Clint really does get the most out of his actors. Which saved this dangerously long and rather boring feature from complete dismissal from me.
His casting is always spot on. To name but a few, Naomi Watts demurley plays Edgar's long standing and pivotal assistant. Newcomer Armie Hammer (you may remember him playing the part of both Winklevoss twins in the "Social Network")as Edgar's long time companion (controversially suggested lover) Clyde Tolson. A dapper younger version of the man. Followed by a slightly over the top older gentleman whose had a stoke. Keep working at it Armie; there has to be a future for someone who is not only incredibly handsome but has such perfect diction!
There was a powerful cameo by relatively unknown Aussie actor Damon Herriman. His abstract features and eerie on screen presence should see him attain more Hollywood roles. Go Damon!
At this point, I would like to cane the makeup department for their badly drawn geriatric faces. Not all older people are drowning in liver spots. This kind of detail needs to be perfect to deliver a believable outcome.
Also,the small roles of Robert Kennedy and Richard Nixon were badly drawn parodies and again affected the authenticity of this film.
Last but certainly not least was the unbearably believable Leonardo Di Caprio as Edgar himself.
This sensational actor with undeniable range surely deserves an Oscar for this part. Any 36 year old who can age over six decades and can convincingly play the part of a misunderstood, narcicistic workaholic grappling with his homosexuality gets my vote!
I was so overwhelmed with the depth that Leo delivered here. The cross dressing scene that followed the death of his mother was sensitively and courageously drawn by this brave and relentless performer. Leo, you've come a long way since "Growing Pains", Hip hip horray!
When all is said and done, I still feel I know little about this mysterious man in question.
Perhaps, Eastwood's ultimate intention....
A man who understood well the correlation between work and family life succinctly states:
"No amount of law enforcement can solve a problem that goes back to the family."
J Edgar Hoover
