Now that the Holiday Movie Season is in full swing, the Oscar race has officially begun, and an early frontrunner was easily J. Edgar. Historical biographies are always strong contenders, but include a powerhouse director like Clint Eastwood and a leading man of Leonardo DiCaprio’s caliber, and many analysts predicted that this newest drama would finally earn DiCaprio the Best Actor accolade that he has deserved for years. As far as film subjects go, there are not many individuals more fascinating than FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, whose career was fraught with controversy and illicit rumor, whether that involved his sexuality or his proclivity for blackmail…the story told would be undoubtedly emotionally-charged. The strong supporting cast also indicated that filmmakers would be swinging for the fences in terms of critical accolade; Armie Hammer, Judi Dench, and Naomi Watts are all known for their acting skill and deep portrayals. Positively overflowing with potential, I could not wait to see and review J. Edgar, which I was sure would be a prevalent presence at this year’s Academy Awards.
In its entirety, J. Edgar is a deep and very informative film, but the core subject matter and style of storytelling appeal to such a limited audience that overall quality suffers. As expected, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a tour de force performance, fully embodying the late FBI director and committing to a faithful portrayal filled with a level of despair, rage, and paranoia that is mesmerizing. The story also pursues a thoroughly unique narrative pacing, transitioning from Hoover in the first years in his career to his controversial later life, but while this formula works at first, the film’s direction almost seems to lose track of its progress, making in difficult and downright confusing to keep the order of events coherent. J. Edgar is strong and engrossing, but at nearly two and a half hours, it is not the type of film you can approach without significant energy or dedication, and I really think that historians are the only ones truly willing to put forth that kind of effort. If you are a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio or historical drama, then J. Edgar is well worth seeing, but be warned that this is far from the kind of mass-appeal drama that many were expecting to be a contender for Best Picture…and that fact is disappointing.
Overall Recommendation: Medium
