J. Edgar

[valda]

gutted I couldnt go

[David]

Very impressed. Dodgy ageing make-up aside (especially on Edgar's partner - what a horrific effort) it was fantastic.

[Celini]

don't feel bad Val, that was bad and the Q&A (happening right now) is no better!
Very dislikable Oxfordian Professor and the (World best? At least the Telegraph World) journalist of investigation...

Edit: professor you've just been journalist-ed! #Moron
(I know I just hashtagged a sentence )

Edit 2: this professor is a real idiot... Thanks to Bevvy's OH to point out his flaws!
The worst he said was "I do believe in civil liberties for the innocent, not for the guilty"... And those people are actually teaching! #Revolting

[funthing29]

While I can appreciate a well crafted film, even if it is not to my taste, I think this has a lot of flaws. It has a lot of similarities with The Iron Lady: a controversial historical figure reflecting on their life. Whereas The Iron Lady had spark, moments of tension, and a compelling performance, J. Edgar is rather bland and lacks any kind of drama. The tone never changes and the story stays on one level with no developments to shake up the characters or the script.

DiCaprio does not give a bad performance, but it is not as powerful as I was expecting, definitely not Oscar worthy, and certainly nowhere near the level of Streep. He fared better as the younger Hoover than he did aged with all the make up which made him look puffy and bloated, and was rather distracting.

Whereas The Iron Lady evoked a degree of sympathy and Steep portrayed vulnerability, there is nothing likeable in Hoover. His relationship with Tolson does not have the gravitas it needed and his relationship with his mother was underdeveloped.

It was too long and the acting felt inconsistent (but Dench was excellent as always).

I think this has missed the Oscar mark and the script could have been stronger. 6.5/10.

[stuartboy]

That has got to be the brownest film I have ever seen!

[valda]

hmm 2 against 1 for and one?

[yogi]

Very impressed. Dodgy ageing make-up aside (especially on Edgar's partner - what a horrific effort) it was fantastic.

I thought that as well and how similar was old Leo to Philip Seymour Hoffman!

Overall I enjoyed the film, always feel safe in Clints hands, decent performances, but felt towards the end subtlety went out the window it got a bit heavy handed.

[Yinster]

Back from Glasgow. OH now knows who J Edgar is. Why do I always get the couple who likes to play with their mobiles during the film? I let it slide for 5 minutes before saying something only to discover when I got closer to speak to them she was reading either a very long email or a book. Yes during the film.

Anyway the film was classic Eastwood. Long and often in one tone. It was ok except it was far too long. Fairly easy to follow once you realises the flashbacks and my knowledge of American history isn't too bad. 6/10

[marjoreemarjora]

Film got off to a bad start in Edinburgh when it was too big for the screen so they had to start it again. A long film as it was!

Disappointed with the film.... expected more oommf. This could have been a powerful film and found the coming and going tiresome at times.

Agree make up on ageing on Tolson poor, as was his attempt and walking like an old man, found this distracting.

Have not seen Iron Lady (not been well and first film this year), but felt his relaitonships with all three people, mother, secretary and Tolson should have been more developed. Did not feel Caprio was particularly believable.

Much preferred Green Torino to this and would not recommend to anyone. Too long by far.

5.5/10 from me

[Octopus]

I really wanted to go to May Fair to see the Q&A... but finally didn't as I was friggin' hungry for the last 15min of the film and could think of nothing but food. But apparently I'm not missing much

The :
It took me some time to really get into the story, but once I had, I must say I was (once again) impressed by DiCaprio. I really hated him and his cutie pie face years ago. And then, I learnt to discover him, to like his acting, and to be impressed.
It reminded me a few things learnt during my US civilisation classes, and emphasizes very well the complex personality of Hoover, a smart but decided man (not especially in the right way)
I especially liked the little hints of humour! [spoiler]'We finally have something that the bad guys don't have' / 'Decorative skills?'[/spoiler]
The :
Yet Old Clyde's make-up was disturbing, and the first minutes of the film were a bit hard for me as it took me time to get used to J Edgar's accent. I also blanked for a while during the last diner scene [spoiler]'I was sweating because I knew I needed you' or I-don't-remember-the-exact-line, with the little 'lift music', too cliché to be appreciated (to me!)[/spoiler]

I liked it but don't know if I really really liked it so I'm gonna give a non-exhaustive 6.5/10