"J. Edgar" Fails to Deliver the Historical Goods

By Aaron J. Stockham
12-12-11

Aaron J. Stockham received his PhD from Marquette University in 2005. His PhD dissertation was entitled "Lack of Oversight: The Relationship between Congress and the FBI, 1907-1975." He is the history department chair at The Waterford School in Sandy, UT.

With the holiday season approaching, many find time to head to their local cinema. One choice filmgoers have this year is the Clint Eastwood-directed biopic J. Edgar, written by Dustin Lance Black (who also wrote the critically acclaimed Milk) and starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the title role. As a historian of the FBI, I was certainly intrigued by what the film got right. While critics have their own criteria judging a film, I was more interested in the film's portrayal of the facts behind the larger-than-life director of the FBI. As one might expect of a film about such a complex figure, the Hollywood Hoover tends to simplify and condense his actions. The film, ultimately, is basically accurate in showing the audience what Hoover did but does not fully explore the motivations behind those actions.

At its heart, J. Edgar portrays Hoover as the man who successfully integrated scientific processes into law enforcement investigations. Using the Lindbergh kidnapping as a centerpiece, Hoover transforms a Bureau smoking lounge into a scientific laboratory with dedicated, if eccentric, scientists working around the clock to solve the “crime of the century.” Facing down all detractors, Hoover eventually catches Bruno Hauptmann through dedication and scientific analysis. There is no doubt, from the historical record, that Hoover was instrumental in creating the FBI's scientific reputation. Before others in the United States, Hoover saw the value of finger prints, blood typing, and handwriting analysis. As a central theme of the film, this rings true.

More: http://hnn.us/articles/j-edgar-fails-deliver-historical-goods