Regina

A professionally produced movie with some of the best talent available today. However as a history of the life and impact of J. Edgar Hoover, the movie provides little historical context. The result is much too sympathetic and generous to Hoover as an individual, administrator or political manipulator. Hoover was one of the worst characters that the US has produced in modern times. He was a sociopath of the first order. Even now the FBI is rightly criticized for failing to communicate adequately within government and operating with an agenda outside of government policy. Thousands of innocent lives are lost as a result. Hoover founded and perpetuated this model by the use of political blackmail and extortion. Where this movie is not only historically weak but actually harmful is its likely impact on younger viewers who might not be aware of Hoover's notoriety. If this is a first and only exposure to Hoover the impression could easily be that this was a quirky guy who built a sustaining agency and service to the US. Absent knowledge of context there is little to counter this benign view. Eastwood directs this movie with the implication that he's relating history but, as is often the case with Eastwood, he hasn't the guts to say what he really intends and he certainly won't denounce Hoover for the creature that he actually was. Hoover was a bad guy. Eastwood's movie is an attempt at undeserved rehab. Nice try Clint but not all are so easily fooled. Shame on you for misleading our younger population.

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