J Edgar Hoover

EVEN LEONARDO DICAPRIO CAN’T SAVE “J EDGAR” FROM MONOTONY

We were fully prepared to fall in love with the movie “J Edgar.” We imagined a mini-history of the USA in the first half of the 20th century, and a visual feast through the decades. Plus, we have been enjoying the sensitivity of Clint Eastwood’s directing in the past few years and if a movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, it’s bound to have a big budget. And of course we expected to learn a lot about the mysterious J Edgar Hoover. To put it mildly, our expectations were not met. We YAWNED repeatedly during the endless rambling monologues by Hoover and the countless flashbacks. Leonardo did a decent job of acting but we couldn’t forget for a minute that he’s Leo THE MOVIE STAR. An unknown character actor might have made Hoover more real. The biggest problem was the dull and uninspired script – it created an lifeless portrait of what was most likely a complex and intriguing man.

LEONARDO DICAPRIO SHOULD SNAP UP THIS JUICY ROLE AS J EDGAR HOOVER

We’ve long been fascinated by the first FBI Director J Edgar Hoover (from 1935 to his death in 1972) and all the stories about his secret gay proclivities and alleged cross-dressing. Clint Eastwood is intrigued too, and he’s set to direct a biography of Hoover prominently featuring his associate and supposed “lover” Clyde Tolson. The men were inseparable partners but at the time no one DARED question the intimidating Hoover (above right) about his sexual preference. A socialite reported seeing Hoover at a gay orgy dressed in a flouncy black dress, stockings, high heels, and a wig. Another acquaintance thought Hoover was “so straight-laced” that he couldn’t have a normal romantic relationship. Who better to play this many-sided character than Leonardo DiCaprio? Eastwood wants Leo, and he wants Joaquin Phoenix to play Clyde Tolson.