CLINT EASTWOOD'S STORY J. EDGAR HOOVER

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TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP MOVIE REVIEW

DON'T WALK-RUN TO J. EDGAR!
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Armie Hammer

You've got to hand it to director Clint Eastwood; at 81, he stills stands at the forefront in delivering exceptionally and compelling material. His work isn't always successful (Invictus), but for every project that perhaps may fall a bit short, he delivers a work that just knocks your socks off (Million Dollar Baby). I've seen his Unforgiven maybe five or six times and each time, it still sends chills down my spine. Some have called that work one of the best American movies ever; I'd have to agree. In his new epic, J. Edgar, Eastwood tells the story of the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover, who ruled the FBI for over 40 years, through 8 Presidents, three wars and, armed with a devastatingly good performances from stars Leonardo DioCaprio and Armie Hammer; it's an addicting epic. It opens immediately with DiCaprio in full-makeup as the older Hoover. It's a strikingly good prosthetic job and after an initial shock, you buy it and can move on. Hoover was a man who placed great value on secrets – particularly those of others- and was not afraid to use that information to exert authority over the leading political figures in the nation (Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King) in order to gain more control. It's a constant theme that the leading figures of the day knew he had these secret files on them … and, governed themselves accordingly. The scenes with then-attorney general RFK are particularity chilling; almost a high-tech chess games between two keen players. Burn Notices' Jeffrey Donovan as RFK is very good indeed. While in RFK's office, Hoover notices a rather ornate fireplace built right into the wall ... several scenes later, there is a similar one installed in Hoover's office. It's a neat moment for sure. Hammer as Hoover's protege Clyde Tolson is pretty straight on too, although the references to him being somewhat of a clothes-horse and amateur decorator were odd moments indeed; during their first meeting with Hoover he jumps up to straighten the drapes??!! Tolson remained terrifically loyal to him till the end and Hammer's performance is of the award-winning caliber. I first became aware of Hammer in the Social Network; I had not heard of him before, but there is no doubt he is going to be an actor of major proportions ... actually, he already is. There's no overt scene of the two, although a knock-down-drag-out fight between the two; which results in Tolson kissing Hoover feels a bit overplayed. Hoover's response to Tolson is a sharp 'don't ever do that again.' Face it, back in those days, that sort of relationship was forbidden in public. On the whole, Eastwood handles it well. After the passing of his mother, filled with grief and remorse, Hoover puts on one of his mother's dresses and collapses. Corny ... perhaps, but it works terrifically well.

The script by Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk) is determined and straight-forward; although, the one thing that I had some trouble with throughout was the constant time-shifting between an old-Hoover and the young-Hoover; they go into in elevator as young … and, come at as old. A tad confusing for me. Black's script is pretty detailed and sensational; as with Milk, it gets to exactly where it needs to be. Judi Dench as J. Edgar's mother, who's bond with him is striking, delivers an awesome performance. Everything she's been in, she grabs the screen. Wonderful actress. Naomi Watts as his loyal aide Helen Gandy, is another stellar turn. Turns out, they met, dated and when she wouldn't succumb to his charms as he had intended … becomes his loyal secretary; knowing full-well where all the secrets were buried. In fact, nears his end, he says to her to make sure all those files are never found … and, they weren't, for the most part. When he is finally gone, then-President Nixon, orders his goon-squad to immediately seal the office and confiscate every file they can find. Clearly, Clint is no fan of Nixon either, as he is portrayed as a doofus. Bravo! They did seal his office … but, those secret files were already gone. A pretty engaging film; especially for the performances. I'd make it a must see for the season.


Photos By: Sara De Boer/RD/Orchon/Retna