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Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, Judi Dench ... see more see more... , Ed Westwick , Damon Herriman , Stephen Root , Jeffrey Donovan , Ken Howard , Josh Hamilton , Geoffrey Pierson , Cheryl Lawson , Gunner Wright , David Cooper , Brady Matthews , Kaitlyn Dever , Kelly Lester , Jack Donner , Dylan Burns , Jordan Bridges , Jack Axelrod , Jessica Hecht , Josh Stamberg , Michael James Faradie , Christian Clemenson , Billy Smith , Michael Rady , Scot Carlisle , Geoff Stults , Sadie Calvano , Allen Nabors , Ryan McPartlin , William Bebow , Joseph Culliton , Scott Johnston , Tom Archdeacon , Mike Vaughn , Miles Fisher , F. Stephen Schmidt , Dermot Mulroney , Zach Grenier , Johnny Cicco , Denis O'Hare , Kahil Dotay , Lea Coco , Scott C. Roe , Ernest Harden Jr. , Roberta Bassin , Steve Monroe , Christopher Lee Philips , Sean Murphy , Gary Werntz , David Clennon , Michael O'Neill , Eric Larkin , Manu Intiraymi , Eric Frentzel , Michael Klinger , Evan Charest , Emily Alyn Lind , Kyle Eastwood , Joe Bagg , Kye Palmer , Jason Harnell , Michael J.X. Gladis , Jamie Labarber , Lea Thompson , Amanda Schull , Craig Zucchero , Greg Hoyt , Jeff Cockey , Gerald Downey , Brennan Coulter , Jenny Phagan , Tommy Christensen , Chris Caputo , Austin Basis , Adam Driver , Shannon McClain , Justin Alston , Eric Matheny , Ary Katz , Duncan Hood , Aaron Lazar , Ernest Heinz , Teresa Hegji , Thomas Langston , Robert C. Fleet , Joe Keyes , Christopher Shyer , Maxine Weldon , Larkin Campbell , Mark Thomason

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.... read more read more... Edgar Hoover (Leonardo 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. -- (C) Warner Bros

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47% liked it

32,635 ratings

Critics

44% liked it

211 critics

R, 2 hr. 17 min.

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Release Date: November 9, 2011

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DVD Release Date: February 21, 2012

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Flixster Reviews (2,664)

  • binky013
    March 27, 2012
    binky013
    Geez, I'm in the minority on this one too. DiCaprio should have won an Oscar for this one. It's amazing the way Eastwood dealt with Hoover's homosexuality. And it's also interesting that Eastwood was able to make such a bastard seem almost a sympathetic character. Nuff said.
  • jjnxn
    March 26, 2012
    jjnxn
    Darkly lit & dreary with some of the worst old age makeup ever seen and a confusing non linear storyline. Some decent acting is wasted on a dull script.
  • imrealgod
    February 22, 2012
    imrealgod
    A top FBI officer rumored to be a cross-dresser and closeted homosexual. That's an interesting dough right there to start with. How could Hollywood afford to miss it?? No doubt, this shady character deserved to be played on-screen, but it fails to do justice enough to this contro... read moreversial figure's biographical tale. Leonardo continues to excel playing real-life characters, so his outstanding performance wasn't quite a surprise here either. Movies with time jumps back and forth isn't quite up to my taste, but I found myself comfortable with it sooner than I'd ever expected. But another problem was that there was hardly anything worth looking forward to in this story; you already know where it's going, and it shouldn't have been this predictable. Eastwood smartly throws in the Lindbergh kidnapping plot to add to the thrill, but that doesn't help much. Wasn't there any other less known mystery that the guy solved? Or were there, but couldn't be told for they lacked enough thrilling elements??? Whatever. To sum up, the movie aces in performances, but disappoints with its content.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    February 22, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Clint Eeastwood has pulled yet another masterful film. Eastwood is a powerhouse in the film industry, he keeps on making quality film after quality film. J. Edgar is yet another great film from the director. Starring Leonardo Dicaprio in the title role. J. Edgar is compelling bio... read morepic that is very underrated in my opinion. The film is flawed, but the performances delivered by Leonardo Dicaprio more than makes up for its slight mistakes. This is a well conceived film that shows the secret life of J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI. throughout the film we get a glimpse at how powerful Hoover becomes, and how he uses his wit to influence politicians to create the best police force. J. Edgar is a terrific film that details Hoover's secret life, and alleged homosexuality. Now, before you dismiss this film as a "gay film", this is really not the case. The film though hints on such as aspects of Hoover's sexuality, it shows how Hoover became a man feared and revered. Clint Eastwood is a great director and presents us with a terrific film, his eye for substance over cheapo thrills is what makes his film unique films to watch. This is Eastwood's best biopic si9nce Bird and J. Edgar is a well crafted film with a great cast. Dicaprio is excellent in this role, and in my opinion he delivers one of his best performances since The Departed. What really stands out with this film is the fact that Leonardo Dicaprio and Clint Eastwood collaborated on this film. The result is a stunning biopic with a great story. I really don't understand why this film has gotten so much flack. I thought it was a brilliant, near flawless picture that told a terrific story. The only weak points of the film is that I felt they could elaborated more on the wave of bank robberies in the early 1930's, as John Dillinger was one of the first criminals to really establish the FBI as a Federal police force. Before Dillinger, the bureau of investigation didn't have that much power. However after the criminal careers of Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson. These criminal precipitated the need of a Federal task force, and in many ways helped form the modern FBI. I felt that it was something that could have been elaborated a bit more, however for the most part, the film does a great job at being a thrilling biopic. Some people May be disappointed by this film of course, but this is a biopic, so go in expecting a story, people talking with a bit of action, and you may not be disappointed. This is a smartly crafted film that is held together by a compelling story and phenomenal acting. The film will appeal to people interested in history, as this one tells an important story that is essential to the formation of modern crime fighting in America. Clint Eastwood tackles his subject with great understanding of its topic. Ultimately that's what we get on-screen, a portrait of a man bent on doing what's right for his country, only to be conflicted by the secrets that could destroy him. Leonardo Dicaprio does a phenomenal job at playing a man conflicted by his own personal morals. If you're looking for one of 2011';s most underrated films, and ultimately the most underrated performance, J. Edgar is a fine flick to watch. Expect a film that is clearly misunderstood, and if you're a Clint Eastwood fan, like I am, you'll appreciate the film for what it is, an underrated work of misunderstood brilliance. Clint Eastwood has delivered yet another film and this is probably going to be seen as one of his most underrated works as a director.
  • PedroPauloA
    February 20, 2012
    PedroPauloA
    The Most Powerful Man in the World

    Nicely Done

    Clint Eastwood nails it again, and so does DiCaprio. This is a good film, not amazing, but a good film that will only appeal and please political heads or history geeks, but either than that if you aren't under... read more those categories you should watch this.

    The movie tells the internal and external conflicts of J.Edgar Hoover, the director of FBI and hence one of the most important man on earth. From his political conflicts to his sexuality, Eastwood does a good job in creating an interesting autobiography of Mr.Hoover.

    DiCaprio has really made his way out from being a silly actor to being one of the most looked up for and serious actors of our generation. He really stands out in this movie, he develops a complex character that Hoover really was and thereby paints a vivid and legit picture of this character.

    Eastwood is also one of those directors that has really gotten to me lately. I've only became a fan of his work since Million Dollar Baby, but since then he has shown some serious, not western passion for film making, and is truly talented.

    The makeup in this movie is divine. Well only really Hoover's because Tolson's is awful. But definitively something impressive.

    Overall a good film, only recommended to those interested in slow political films that's gist is to elaborate on one of the worlds most famous and powerful icons.

    J. Edgar Hoover: " It's time this generation learns the difference between villan and hero. Even great men can be corrupted."
  • TheGame90
    February 12, 2012
    TheGame90
    This was a interesting story. I heard some people complaining in the theater that it was very slow. But if you expect big explotions and car chases and all that...you're not gonna get it. Cause it's a real story. And it's not slow if you know what to expect...there's allways some... read morething happening. And you can allways take some time of just to enjoy the acting. And the makeup looks pretty good as well.....At least Lenny D's makeup. Clint did a good job behind the camera. Nothing spectacular...but solid
  • c0up
    February 6, 2012
    c0up
    'J. Edgar'. A strange love story featuring a fine Leo DiCaprio, but a weak script and even weaker make up.
  • thmtsang
    January 28, 2012
    thmtsang
    Leo is my favourite actor but I was disappointed with J Edgar. This is probably the least favourite of his movies. Leo gives an excellent performance as always but J Edgar Hoover is just such an unlikeable person. He had a formidable career as the head of the FBI for 48 years, th... read moree movie touched on some of his cases but mainly focused on his relationships with his PA, assistant and mother. I found the movie slow moving and the make up that made the characters old wasn't very convincing. Judi Dench portrays his mother who is very domineering. Some of the scenes between Edgar and Clyde were quite ridiculous.
  • blacksheepboy
    January 26, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    A complete disaster that portrays Hoover as a weak, petty, selfish, insecure and intolerant man but we never find out who he really was or why we should at all empathize with him. Besides, the over-unsaturated cinematography and the dragging pace keep the audience even more emoti... read moreonally distant, while most of the actors are over-the-top and the makeup is atrocious.
  • danperry17
    January 5, 2012
    danperry17
    A good movie, but by the standards Di Caprio and Eastwood usually set, not a very good movie. Clint is starting to wobble in his late years: his films are getting longer, less efficient, less original, and less affecting. This movie, particularly, uses one interesting twist in th... read moree way it tells its story: putting the narrative in the hands of Hoover, writing his autobiography. Also, where this one comes up short is in the music, which Eastwood and his son have yet again written on the same three piano keys. When Clint's good, he's great, but J. Edgar is not one of those occasions. The story is too linear, and loses steam in its thorough faithfulness to the details. It's an accurate biopic, and interesting because of the fate of the most important information Hoover collected at the FBI. It's also a good follow-up to Milk in writer Dustin Lance Black's career, and solidly written. However, as with Invictus, the expectations for this film are too high. It's decent, but don't go in expecting any more than that - you'll be disappointed.

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Critic Reviews

Tom Long
November 11, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

Somehow J. Edgar manages to be both epic and empty. Full Review

Rick Groen
November 11, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Usually the tautest of directors, Clint Eastwood has gone all slack here, allowing his subject to get completely away from him. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
November 11, 2011
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Although Hoover's luster faded as his career went on, Eastwood's movie seems wan from the start. Full Review

Eric D. Snider
November 11, 2011
Eric D. Snider, Film.com

Here's that J. Edgar Hoover biopic you asked for, or at least something that meets all the technical requirements to be considered one. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
November 10, 2011
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Mr. Eastwood's ponderous direction, a clumsy script by Dustin Lance Black and ghastly slatherings of old-age makeup all conspire to put the story at an emotional and historical distance. It's a partia... Full Review

Peter Rainer
November 10, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

How believable is DiCaprio? When I first heard he had been cast as Hoover, I couldn't think of another actor physically less likely to pull it off. But he's surprisingly good. Full Review

Chris Vognar
November 10, 2011
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Within the sprawling biopic that is J. Edgar beats the heart of a love story. Full Review

Charlie McCollum
November 10, 2011
Charlie McCollum, San Jose Mercury News

For all its virtues -- or, perhaps, because of them -- J. Edgar is a disappointment. Full Review

Colin Covert
November 10, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

This far-from-perfect film is hobbled by uneven performances and a script studded with historical bullet points. But it's a strong tribute to Eastwood's personal vision. Full Review

Steven Rea
November 10, 2011
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

J. Edgar is an arduous trek through the history books, a gloomy glide down the marble halls of a Washington institution. Full Review

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    • J. Edgar Hoover: Funny how even the dearest face will fade away in time, but most clearly I remember your eyes with a sort of teasing smile in them, and the feeling of that soft spot just northeast of the corner of your mouth.
    • J. Edgar Hoover: Clyde! Don't leave me!
    • J. Edgar Hoover: It's time this generation learns the difference between villan and hero. Even great men can be corrupted.
    • Anne Marie Hoover: I'd rather have a dead son than a daffodil.
    • J. Edgar Hoover: Imagine if every citizen in this country were uniquely identifiable by the pattern on their fingers, imagine how quickly we could find them, if they committed a crime.
    • Richard Nixon: Seal off his office. I want those files!
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  • In the 1940?s, which Hollywood great spied on his friends for J. Edgar Hoover?  Answer »
  • Who played J Edgar Hoover in the movie, Public Enemies?  Answer »
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