Writer: Peter Chai

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: “Catch Me If You Can”, “The Departed”

In the movie industry, there is a saying that the collaboration between a great director and a brilliant lead will produce a masterpiece that nobody can resist watching. Hollywood star Leonardo Dicaprio's cooperation with the legendaries such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan during the last decade has proven this to be true in eyes of the audience, and this time, you are watching the collaboration of Dicaprio with Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood for "J. Edgar".

At the age of 81, Clint Eastwood is still going strong with his trademark directorial style by filming another story of the human struggle with justice and personal character. "J. Edgar" is a biographical story of the career of J. Edgar Hoover, who is the first director of the FBI in the United States and the ways he dealt with his position in protecting his country from the threats given by the Nazi agents and communists in the early 20th century, the internal politics in the American government and his closeted romance with his longtime partner, agent Clyde Tolson.

Dicaprio's acting as one of the most powerful American figures in this biopic should be noted by everyone who watched this movie. The actor manages to strike a balance between being a prideful leader in front of his compatriots and being an emotionally weak man in private. The combination of the make-up, body language, emotions, tone of voice and accents for Dicaprio serve to effectively bring the viewers closer towards understanding Hoover's personality.

You will not see the usual balance of dark and light lighting in this movie as most of the scenes are shot in darkness. It is not hard to understand why Eastwood opted for such cinematographic style as it is clear that he wanted to portray Hoover's obsession in pursuing total domination and fame in the FBI even if he had to resort to illegal methods, his fear to lose this power and of being discovered for his relationship with Tolson.

The plot in Eastwood's piece may also make you feel as if you are having a history lesson because you will get to see behind-the-scenes events of some of the most important events in American history. For instance, Hoover's blackmailing attempt on different Presidents of the United States and the unforgettable assasination of Martin Luther King Jr.

It does not matter if you are a fan of American history or just someone who wants to know more about the ugly truth of law enforcement in a country, watching "J. Edgar" is a good choice.

The movie is also available in 2D.

Cinema Online, 21 February 2012