J.Edgar

As with The Iron Lady last year, I only had a general understanding of this films central character. Much like Margaret Thatcher, my understanding of J.Edgar Hoover was that of a villain. These two films share similar DNA in the sense that they're presenting a figure who wasn't liked by the moral majority.
Certainly for younger audiences(not privy to the information as it was happening), these films are well-rounded lessons in history, ending with a similar thought -  no person of power remains grounded.
J.Edgar is played magnificently by Leonardo DiCaprio and the film chronicles his entire public life, as the Bureau of Justice slowly transforms into the F.B.I.
J.Edgar is a sad character with no real life outside of his work. He is unquestionably committed to the cause of justice and goes about heralding the dawn of forensic investigation.
The work by Hoover's Bureau inevitably improves, as we follow several major cases of the time. The evidence presented by the Bureau is more scientific and as time goes on, becomes a lot harder to refute.
Slowly but surely, Hoover begins to use the resources at his disposal to investigate unwarranted cases. By bugging the homes and offices of his contemporaries, he accumulates a great deal of dirt -  to both bribe and barter with. Hoover later uses counter-intelligence as a device to bait such political figures as Martin Luther King. From the very beginning, I believe most of his work was 'counter', as it was himself he was protecting all along.
The film comments on what little social life he did have, from living at home with his mother to his unrealised homosexual tendencies - particularly towards his most trusted colleague, Clyde Tolson.
Interestingly, this film was written by Dustin Lance Black, who wrote Milk. Despite the challenges Milk faced in the 1970's, J.Edgar is even more at odds with his sexuality in the years prior. He is a desperate man, working in the public eye, trapped in a time of intolerance.
The film uses flashbacks, again like The Iron Lady. There's obviously been a great many films that have used this device, but the Thatcher story used it to such great effect, that it almost seems superfluous here. There's a lot going on in J.Edgar and the flashbacks hinder rather than help.
Much has been said about the make-up in this film, as the same actors play their older selves well in to their golden years. DiCaprio's make-up in particular is spectacular! As an older Helen Gandy( Hoover's trusted secretary), Naomi Watts looks suitably authentic too. Unfortunately the same can not be said for Tolson(Armie Hammer). No doubt the artists worked from photographic evidence, however he looks like a caricature and the resulting scenes are somewhat distracting. Regardless, this is a very fine film, which left me educated and sympathetic to the plight of yet another troubled character - 4/5.