Based on a real life story of a highly ambitious and powerful figure in the history of crime investigation, J. Edgar is a deep and substantial drama/biography film. Inspired to give it a traditional and classic appeal, the film was characterized with the early 1900’s look. From the production designs, costumes and sounds, it succeeded in recreating the milieu of John Edgar Hoover, played by Leonardo diCarpio.
The movie has this cathartic effect which seems to place the audience among the interviewing agents inside Hoover’s gloomy and warm office. His harsh voice reflected himself as a man who has been through time and now, prepared to expose his unacknowledged private life. As dark as his grey coat but clear as his silvering hair, he began to tell about the opportunity he saw in the darkness of a particular night in 1919. The community was alarmed by the large-scale assassination of public officials and the simultaneous bombing of the houses of vicious politicians. That evening opened Edgar to the contempt of the law and the incompetent investigators who used buckets to clean-up the mess rather than collecting it. He involved himself in the crime investigations; and, determined to correct the ridiculed system of investigation and helped by M. Palmer (Geoff Pierson), he eventually found his way at the doors of the Justice Department. From then on, influenced by his previous work at the Library of Congress, he created a massive card index of public people and officials with various political views. Sooner, he was no longer an outcast for he was appointed as the acting director of the Bureau of Investigations. The 24-year old Hoover who was gradually corrupted by the devouring absolute power was on the leverage of the government. One of his cases advocated him more because he noticed the dwindling quality of investigation into a stare activity and losing its federal sense. Disappointed, he set to correct this contempt and sought means to serve as a catalyst for improvisation. Sooner, a system of investigation was established and implementations of a forensic evidence which he did by gathering brilliant scientific minds; and fingerprinting as a tool for crime study. It took years to dominate the crime investigation; in the end, he headed the Federal Bureau of Investigations—now known as the world-class crime fighting organization.
In the heights of his grandeur and even before he got his rank, he was always been sided by his closest cavalry: Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), hi lifetime secretary; Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), his lawyer and loyal companion; and his mother, Annie Hoover (Judi Dench). His mother was his station wherein he succumbs to hard work, fatigue, and depression brought by his restless public service. On the other hand, Tolson played a decisive role in Hoover’s life and career. There were many scenes which pictured their affinity such as dining after meetings, watching films and horse racing, and simple spending of their spare time on conversations; and particularly, the lounging in a hotel—activities which distinguished and developed into an unexpected private relationship. No matter how ironic to Hoover’s rigid and self-righteous personality; for Tolson Edgar was a passionate and dependable companion. Throughout his nearly 50 years of federal commitment until the dawn of Edgar’s life, he had showed his unconditional loyalty and affection for him.
The movie is a patchwork of John Edgar Hoover’s life. Yet, although the film’s plot jumps back and forth to time, every memory of J. Edgar opened a door which revealed his character and slowly built the kind of person he was. Despite his secrecy, he was still the person feared and admired by many strong people today.
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