Greatness from Imperfections -- J. EDGAR Movie Review

POTATO ON THE GO REVIEW (Movie):

One thing I admire about Leonardo DiCaprio is how how he progresses as an actor, how he outdo what he has done previously, and how he reinvents himself and presents a whole new package everytime he comes out in a movie.  And this is what I witnessed in the latest  movie offering of Warner Bros., J. EDGAR.

J. EDGAR tells the story of J. Edgar Hoover who was considered as the face of law enforcement in USA for almost 50 years.  He was feared and admired, reviled and revered.  But behind closed doors, he held delicate secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.  Directed by Client Eastwood, J. EDGAR, topbilled by Leonardo DiCaprio explored the life, both public and private, of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th Century.  The movie also stars Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Damon Herriman, Ed Westwick, and Jeffrey Donovan.

J. EDGAR is a very interesting movie, not only because top names in Hollywood are behind the said film, but because some of America's most influential characters, who helped shape the said nation, are involved.  

The movie's strongest selling point is the brilliant performance of Leonardo DiCaprio.  A complicated character like that of J. Edgar can only be portrayed by an intelligent performer like Leonardo DiCaprio.  He was able to show the admirable traits of J. Edgar as a respected government official and yet he was able to handle sensitive issues by showing the weak and fragile side of his character.  He is convincing as a young J. Edgar and he is at his best portraying the same role with decades of age added.

In terms of screenplay, at first, I was a bit unsure where the movie wants to take the audience but towards the end of the film, I finally realized what they want to tell the public.  The parallel use of case studies and social issues at that time was able to show how J. EDGAR, with his personal struggles and challenges posed by society, has affected governance and security of America.  It was just quite a ride whether Eastwood wants to champion gay pride or highlight the growth and success of USA's justice system.  Well, actually it's both, it was just hard to identify the seamless mixture of the two concepts.  In terms of gay pride, J. EDGAR only proves that good governance or social change is not influenced by sexual preference.  In terms of the America's justice system, J. EDGAR shows that what their citizens is enjoying right now is the result of hard work, struggle and lives sacrificed by the great people of the 20th century.

The slow revelation of J. EDGAR's sexuality is as intense as the kidnap trial at the early part of his career.  Something that struck the audience is how his mother talked to J. Edgar about his homosexuality.  She said, "I'd rather have a dead son than a daffodil."  And from there, we can understand how J. Edgar struggled to prove himself not only to his contemporaries but to his family as well. 

Set design, costume and wardrobe are all astonishing, from 1920s up to Kennedy's and Nixon's time, the movie was able to depict the lives at that era.  DiCaprio's make-up is excellent but Clyde Tolson's (Armie Hammer) and Helen Gany's (Naomi Watts) are mediocre.  They can do better with Clyde's and Helen's make-up.

The most memorable line in the film for me is "It's time this generation learns the difference between villain and hero.  Even great men can be corrupted." by J. Edgar Hoover.

The J. EDGAR movie, like J. Edgar Hoover, has its imperfections but the good thing is, they both made great contributions in the society.  The first added a movie masterpiece which people can learn from and the latter helped build a nation.  From a scale of 1 to claps, I'm giving J. EDGAR a 7. 

From Warner Bros. and directed by Clint  Eastwood, J. EDGAR is now showing in theaters nationwide.