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Arts & Entertainment

'J. Edgar': Good Guy or Bad Guy?

Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the man who led the FBI for decades.

He ruled the Federal Bureau of Investigation for decades, nosing around in the private lives of his enemies and friends. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a Clint Eastwood directed film about the secret life of one of the most powerful men in the United States in the last century – J. Edgar Hoover.

J. Edgar focuses on those closest to Hoover: mother Annie Hoover (Judi Dench), secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts) and FBI associate director and Hoover companion Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer).

DiCaprio as an aging Hoover was a stretch at times. I had a hard time buying the 37-year-old DiCaprio as the old J. Edgar. That aside, the movie does a great job revealing the top cop's obsession with commies and radicals. The movie also portrays Hoover as a man who was always searching for the spotlight while having many secrets of his own.

The best thing about this film is the relationship between Hoover and his longtime companion Clyde Tolson. Their relationship has historically never been really clear. The film's version sticks with fact: the two were never married, worked side by side for decades and never missed a meal together … and don't you miss this movie. It will certainly be an Oscar contender on so many levels. DiCaprio … Oscar? Don't know about that.

The Flick-o-Meter gives J.Edgar a four out of five. It is a solid film about a troubled man with too much power. Was J. Edgar Hoover a good guy or a bad guy? Eastwood is remarkably neutral on this. What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

DINNER SELECTION

We were driving by Toco Hills Promenade on North Druid Hills Road the other night and noticed is finally open for business. We'd recommend you go there and report back to us. Because we've got a hankering for some chicken teriyaki and rice and whatnot.

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After that, head to to check out the flick. Check showtimes here.

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