Edgar

Clint Eastwood’s last film as director was the risible Hereafter. At least Edgar wipes the slate clean where that mess is concerned, but, despite the qualities of this film, it still has the feel of a watch and forget. As a director Eastwood hasn’t usually picked famous figures as the subject matter so this is quite a unique film in his not inconsiderable canon. Instead of a straightforward linear portrayal of J Edgar Hoover’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) life, Eastwood employs the cut to the past from the present style that appears to be all the rage these days. It doesn’t work well at the start though, with the time frame confusing and nothing of note to get the pulse racing. Stay with it though and things eventually improve and, whilst this isn’t a properly fleshed out examination of Hoover’s life, it does work exceptionally well as the study of a friendship, in this case Hoover’s with his second in command Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer, in his first role since The Social Network). A second strand of the story concerns the founding of the FBI. As any fule kno, Hoover was the creator of the FBI and how he built the department up from scratch is nicely shown by Eastwood, providing a number of laughs along the way. Where the film falls down though is in its portrayal of Hoover as a man. Eastwood doesn’t even come close to looking beyond the facade that Hoover put up for the public. For example, his fear of women is clumsily explained in an awkward sequence with his mother (Judi Dench). This won’t be for everyone as it’s overlong and Eastwood again resorts at any opportunity to use the cheap special effects that have plagued his films for years now, but the central relationship between Hoover and Tolson is subtlety portrayed, though it does seem Clint took his eye off the rest of the film.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Lacking in depth but contains the usual dry Eastwood sense of humour and gets it right in the areas Clint was clearly aiming for. Rating: 6/10.