Rated R for brief strong language.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Donovan and Josh Lucas
Directed by Clint Eastwood (Hereafter, Invictus, and Gran Torino)
“Most of what you wrote was exaggeration and blatant lies.” Not only is that a quote from the film but I wondered how much of what I was watching was exaggeration and blatant lies.
J. Edgar explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.
I’m a fan of Clint Eastwood the actor…I am NOT a fan of Clint Eastwood the director (In fact I only like five of the 35 films he’s directed). Agree or disagree with his political views, it’s hard to ignore the fact that his films tend to have a political slant. And I struggled to enjoy this movie because I felt if I let my guard down for even a minute, I would become a leftwing, anti-establishment, conspiracy nut. (Not that I think Mr. Eastwood is a leftwing, anti-establishment, conspiracy nut…or do I?)
Director Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar spans seven decades and all the major moments of the American 20th Century; from the Great Depression to the assassination of JFK, from World War II to Watergate. The biggest problem with that time frame was the make-up used to make DiCaprio look old. It was more distracting than it was worth.
What was impressive was relearning that J. Edgar Hoover had a 50-year career with the FBI. I knew he was highly a controversial figure, but I felt we were left with one side of the story…and not necessarily the best side. Regarded as the second most powerful man in America, Hoover kept secret files on everyone, including the six Presidents he served.
According to the film, J. Edgar Hoover was a wonderfully complex character; in public, he was the mighty moral crusader fighting crime and disorder; in private he was a repressed homosexual with a fondness for wearing women’s dresses. While I have heard those rumors, I have never heard definitive proof and it‘s not that hard to believe that a lot of people wanted to dishonor him (I’m still conflicted).
Will we ever know the truth this side of heaven? I doubt it. Will I give J. Edgar another thought once this review is finished? I doubt it. I say “Skip It.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, but there is a scene where two men kiss and another scene where J. Edgar listens to a tape of a man and woman having sex. There is some violence like a bomb blows up a house and a few gunfights.
There is not a lot of profanity; the F-word is used once and God’s name is misused twice.
Conversation Starter:
- What were some of the things J. Edgar did to become famous? (Eventually get your child/student to say something like, “knowing everyone’s business”)
- What were some of the reactions from the people around J. Edgar?
- Do you know people who are always “in someone else’s business”?
- Have you ever been told to mind your own business? What was happening?
- Why do you think we want know other people’s business?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
- What are some practical things you can do to “mind your own business”?
