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J. Edgar
J. Edgar Image
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Metascore
59 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: J. Edgar explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century. As the face of law enforcement in America for almost fifty years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life. (Warner Bros. Pictures) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 42
  3. Negative: 4 out of 42
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    Nov 8, 2011
    90
    J. Edgar is a somber, enigmatic, darkly fascinating tale, and how could it be otherwise?
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Nick de Semlyen
    Jan 16, 2012
    60
    A well acted but unfocused study of one of the 20th century's most colourful characters.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    Nov 9, 2011
    38
    All of it makes for a rollicking, outsize tale of overweening ambition and palace intrigue, but J. Edgar instead plays it safe in a turgid, back-and-forth series of tableaux that look as if they were filmed from behind a scrim soaked in weak tea.

See all 42 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 44
  3. Negative: 10 out of 44
  1. Eminem
    10
    Awesome movie! DiCaprio needs to get that Oscar already!!! Ordinary critics didn't understand it because of the many narrative and time shifts but this film is a gem.… Expand
    • 6 of 11 users said yes
  2. JamesL
    4
    Well, I cannot think of much positive to say about this film. There was nothing new to be learned, no subplots developed, nothing revealed, and it just seemed like Eastwood was lost. Leonardo was packed under tons of makeup to play the elder Hoover with the film flashing back to key points in the pasts. Yet these key points were nothing we did not already know about and nothing knew was revealed about the. Eastwood focused mainly on his private gay life and partner but should that be the focus of a biography of someone this important in American history. A hugh disappointment to me.… Expand
    • 4 of 5 users said yes
  3. DQ_Slotkins
    2
    Every second of DiCaprio and Hammer in their rubber old man make-up (complete with terribly cliched old men shaky walks and bad shaky voices) is a blow against an otherwise interesting film. And there are enough seconds to turn the whole film into a joke. Dreadful performances. Eastwood really let this one get away from him. Too bad.… Expand
    • 5 of 5 users said yes

See all 44 User Reviews

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