The new movie by Clint Eastwood - "J. Edgar" - is highly recommended.
It's a bio-pic about J. Edgar Hoover (performed brilliantly by Leonardo DiCaprio), his boyfriend Clyde Tolson (an excellent Armie Hammer), his mother (Judi Dench), and his secretary (Naomi Watts).
The tale is told with nothing held back - Hoover's use of secret files about presidents to keep his job 48 years, his use of illegal methods, his ruthless pursuit of fame, and also his pivotal role in the development of modern forensics such as fingerprints and central files.
But what drew me was the film's full and sympathetic picture of Hoover's chaste homosexual romance with Clyde Tolson. The film's script writer is the same who did "Milk." I'd wondered how a biopic would handle Hoover's homosexuality, and I was surprised not to be disappointed. This is the first Hollywood film I know of where gay characters do not come to bad ends because they're gay, including "Milk." That's a breakthrough.
The film does full justice to Hoover's emotional strangeness and complexity. A deeply satisfying experience.
J. Edgar
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Re: J. Edgar
I haven't even read the reviews yet.
My first and only thought was it was a Clint Eastwood film and he makes good movies without a political ax to grind.
So I will see it when it hits cable.
I am waiting for a few of the December movies, waiting with bated breath and money burning my wallet. .
My first and only thought was it was a Clint Eastwood film and he makes good movies without a political ax to grind.
So I will see it when it hits cable.
I am waiting for a few of the December movies, waiting with bated breath and money burning my wallet. .