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J. Edgar

Play trailer Poster for J. Edgar R 2011 2h 17m Biography History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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44% Tomatometer 242 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover becomes one of America's most-powerful men. Serving through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover utilizes methods both ruthless and heroic to keep his country safe. Projecting a guarded persona in public and in private, he lets few into his inner circle. Among those closest to him are his protégé and constant companion, Clyde Tolson, and Helen Gandy, his loyal secretary.
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J. Edgar

J. Edgar

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Critics Consensus

Leonardo DiCaprio gives a predictably powerhouse performance, but J. Edgar stumbles in all other departments with cheesy makeup, poor lighting, confusing narrative, and humdrum storytelling.

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Critics Reviews

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David Thomson The New Republic 06/20/2013
The Hoover material is ugly and very American, and it might have made an authentic monster story. But the picture offered is muddled, cautious, and at cross purposes. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 01/27/2012
3/4
It is a solid, expertly crafted biopic, and while it doesn't dive as deeply into its enigmatic central figure as I'd hoped it would that didn't make sitting in the theatre watching every single one of its 137 minutes any less enjoyable. Go to Full Review Dan Stewart Little White Lies 01/20/2012
2/5
This muddled melodrama adds up to a missed opportunity. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 31
2/4
Less a comprehensive biopic, more a Brokeback Bureau. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/06/2023
2/4
By the end, we don’t understand Hoover any more than we did when the film began. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ 03/02/2023
2.5/5
File under fascinating, but seriously flawed. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joseph S @JSHAVER Jan 28 A whitewash of one of the most despicable monsters to inhabit the planet. The gay element from the homophobic Eastwood is dispatched. In an early scene Edgar ask a woman to marry. Later on, Hoover's relationship with the ever-present Tolson is just as friends until Tolson kisses Hoover which leads to Hoover fighting him off. Afterward their "unusual?" relationship carries on. Although he had the goods on all the presidents he served under, criminal elements had the goods on him which guaranteed them immunity The plot is as fragmented as a patchwork quilt. In short, the film is a fake biography and boring as Hell See more thiago s @Thiagostone May 27 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. See more Faiz D @RT95588871 05/13/2025 Absolutely brilliant performance by Leonardo DiCaprio. See more D P @RT45936356 01/14/2025 Sleepy film, but it wasn't torture. See more Eye C @ECinc 09/02/2024 A slow movie, and messy… Mr. Eastwood doesn’t defines the point of this movie and it feels ambiguous. Leo DiCaprio is the best of the movie I have to say. See more Michael H @RT40858993 08/25/2024 Another great one by the greatest living director around. DiCaprio is perfectly cast and the whole movie shines. See more Read all reviews
J. Edgar

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Cast & Crew

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Leonardo DiCaprio

J. Edgar Hoover

Naomi Watts

Helen Gandy

Armie Hammer

Clyde Tolson

Josh Lucas

Charles Lindbergh

Judi Dench

Annie Hoover

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J. Edgar

Leonardo DiCaprio (center) as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Judi Dench as Anne Marie Hoover in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson, Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Stephen Root (center) as Arthur Koehler in "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio (center) as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Damon Herriman as Bruno Hauptmann and Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover in "J. Edgar." Josh Lucas as Charles Lindbergh in "J. Edgar." Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy in "J. Edgar." (L-R) Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover and Armie Hammer as Clyde Tolson in "J. Edgar." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover becomes one of America's most-powerful men. Serving through eight presidents and three wars, Hoover utilizes methods both ruthless and heroic to keep his country safe. Projecting a guarded persona in public and in private, he lets few into his inner circle. Among those closest to him are his protégé and constant companion, Clyde Tolson, and Helen Gandy, his loyal secretary.
Director
Clint Eastwood
Producer
Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Robert Lorenz
Screenwriter
Dustin Lance Black
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Malpaso Company
Rating
R (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Biography, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.3M
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital