MOVIE OF THE WEEK #2 (11/11/11): J. EDGAR

"You want to know how you know I'm in very deep thought right now? Look at my body posture - my hands are clenched tight!" Lenardo DiCaprio sits in the chair of the title character as he ponders his life in Clint Eastwood's biographical drama J. EDGAR. Credit: David Lee / © 2011 Universal Pictures. All rights reserved.

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Josh Lucas, Jeffrey Donovan, Geoff Pierson and Damon Herriman

WRITER(S): Dustin Lance Black

DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood

WEB SITE: www.jedgarmovie.warnerbros.com

THE PLOT: A biography picture that seeks to showcase the public and private life of the man who would be the face of American justice for nearly half a century, J. Edgar stars Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role as the first director of the FBI. A man who, as detailed in the film's production notes, "placed great value on secrets," J. Edgar Hoover was many things to the general public: Loud and bombastic, a dedicated crime fighter who was not afraid to call it as he saw it and a man who was as feared by his peers as he was by criminals from coast to coast.

Trusting only his mother Annie (Judi Dench), his secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts) and Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer), his hand picked second in command (and constant companion), Hoover was just as protective of the secrets of his private life. For as hard as he fought to bring down those who would abuse power and harm others, Hoover would struggle just as hard with his own demons and truth about his life and legacy ...

THE TAKE: A film that will likely earn him Academy Award consideration again, DiCaprio does a wonderful job at bringing out all of the complexities/motivations that have made Hoover the long-remembered figure that he is. While Hollywood has historically not been kind to Hoover focusing on more of his eccentricities than accomplishments ,J. Edgar attempts to explore – and succeeds in terms of a sense of keeping your interest in - separating truth from fiction about his life. Each element that DiCaprio brings to its portrayal - his posture, attention to seemingly minute details and even Hoover's accent and voice fluctuations - is done for the sake of enhancing and explaining his character, not creating one. (If you don't know the difference between the two, watch just about any American actor trying to be English and you'll quickly learn.)

Armie Hammer likewise shows there's much more to him than just being the ironed jawed twins in The Social Network, portraying Tolson in a fashion that helps to further show the complexity of Hoover's motivations, approach to his job and the struggle to deal with his private affairs. Watts and Dench provide similar depth in their roles, one attempting to understand and be the understanding companion he never had with the other being a constant source of motivation to seek her approval. Regardless whether his enemies were real or imagined, DiCaprio and company do their best to highlight his achievements (such as his development of the foundation of modern CSI-style investigation) to his private pain and the reasons for it.

While DiCaprio does a great job on camera, Clint Eastwood is steady behind it. Yes, the film's beginning and pacing may be issues for some as the movie starts a bit abruptly already well into Hoover's life ... And the constant jumping back and forth between the present and the past (in terms of the where Hoover is in the story) is a bit convoluted in the beginning, the film eventually finds its footing. In other words, if you're having a bit of trouble with the first 25 minutes or so, stick around, because things will eventually work out and you will settle into an interesting look at a man responsible for helping shape America as we now know it in many ways.

PARTING SHOT: Like the man himself, J. Edgar is not perfect ... But it will do a very good job at convincing everyone who sees it that its legacy is one for the ages.

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):