J. Edgar

J. Edgar

Language : English
Year : 2011
Medical Theme : Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Actors : Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts
Storyline : The film J. Edgar is a drama that revolves around the life of J. Edgar Hoover, a former FBI director who was known for his tough stands on the communists and also for his contributions in America’s fight against many infamous outlaws during the great depression era. There was even a time in Edgar’s life when he rose up to become one of the most powerful men in America, having the power to influence even a few American presidents. The film helps the audience to get a glimpse of Edgar Hoover’s political as well as his troubled personal life, covering almost a forty year time duration with the help of flash backs and the usual linear narration.

The film covers a bit of Edgar’s childhood days and shows how great an influence his mother had on him and the trauma she had put him through when he was a child. All this had a great impact on Edgar’s future political career. The film also talks about Edgar’s sexuality a bit, which has over the years become a subject of great speculation through many rumors that have been floated around, mainly because of his close association with his second hand man, Clyde Tolson. In the film, Edgar Hoover can also be seen as a man suffering from many insecurities and obsessions. His public life during his final days was marred by controversies to a large extent; because of the methods he used to penalize both good as well as a bad men. In all, the film draws a decent picture of Edgar Hoover’s complex personality, who in his time was considered to be both iconic and at the same time a very controversial figure in America.