Anybody seen it? Stunningly well executed biopic of a truly complicated and mulit-facetted man. DiCaprio proves once again that he is the male actor of his generation and it's not just the excellent make up of a vintage Hoover that helps him be convincing:
Armie Hammer as his FBI Deputy Chief Clyde Tolson and gay love of his life, Judi Dench as his oppressive and overcaring mother and Naomi Watts as his life-long personal assistant Helen Gandy are stellar as well. The film works on several layers, the political implications (Hoover's eternal conspiracy fears against either communists or the Mob coupled with his sincere love for America), his pivotal contribution to modern day crime fighting (he would have loved the possibilities of obtaining data IT offers today!), his homosexuality and love for Clyde Tolson which he dared not live but could not hide either and finally his distaste for his contemporaries left (Eleanor Roosevelt, the Kennedys, Martin Luther King) and right (Senator Joe McCarthy - "an opportunist", Richard Nixon - "will do anything to stay in power").
DiCaprio and Clint Eastwood (who has directed the film in his sparse, yet detail-loving manner, but had nothing to do with the screenplay) as well as the gifted and surprisingly young
Dustin Lance Black as the screenplay writer portray Hoover as someone you both learn to fear for his control-mania, learn to admire for his stubborness in establishing the FBI as what it has become against all opposition as well as learn to have real sympathy with for his love to Tolson - the romance between the two is touching.
DiCaprio is becoming more and more a modern Marlon Brando as regards his acting talent (minus Brando's self-destructive erraticism) and if you thought he was great in Aviator - he certainly was - he tops it here.
Uwe