What's important at this time is to re-clarify the difference between hero and villain.

J Edgar

(2011)

Another ho-hum Eastwood effort, this is more involving than you’ve been led to expect if consistently lacking in balls. It seems that telling controversial figures' "personal" stories is the latest way to form no opinion and say nothing insightful about them. It provides a feeble excuse for never really tackling the dodgy decisions they have made and deeds they are responsible for.

Since so few definites are known about Hoover's personal life, Dustin Lance Black appears to have based his script on the idea of not altogether truthful reminiscences that a beleaguered Hoover makes during the 1960s. So, even where historical events take priority they have an air of fabrication.

DiCaprio's fine as Hoover but, like the film in general, is more engaging as the younger Hoover than prosthetic-drowned old man. The relationship with lifelong confidante Robert Erwin, whom he dined with every day for 30 years, only speculates so much regarding how intimate they were; Arnie Hammer is very good as Erwin although he comes the biggest cropper of the three latex-laden leads, especially when forced to dodder about post-stroke. Naomi Watts is solid as his secretary Helen Gandy, but it's a thankless part.

Aside from the screenplay (I wasn't overly impressed by Black's Milk either; if biopic's are too respectful they just become dull) the main problem is Eastwood as director. He approaches the story with although the vitality of a Dickie Attenborough Oscar-baiter. What it needed was someone risky and with a strong take on the man (good or bad); Oliver Stone fifteen years ago, perhaps.

**1/2

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Damn prairie dog burrow!

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Now In Full Color, with a Happier Ending

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