It’s frustrating that Leonardo DiCaprio tends to resemble himself, which can be a problem when he’s trying to embody different characters; people assume he's just being Leonardo DiCaprio and praise him for it. However, in *J. Edgar*, something unexpected happened: DiCaprio genuinely resembled the person he was portraying, even taking on aspects of his personality. He performs as himself, naturally. It’s refreshing that the studio didn’t rely on his appearance this time—it really made a difference. We're treated to DiCaprio fully committing to the role, and actually looking the part, something he hasn't done since *What’s Eating Gilbert Grape*. Plus, Clint Eastwood is directing, which I appreciate as a director but not so much as an actor. I went in expecting some kind of conservative romance because of Eastwood’s political views, but I left feeling like it was an accurate portrayal, and that made a significant difference. The handling of the controversies surrounding Hoover's sexuality was also well-managed; it remained secondary to the story of J. Edgar himself. Ultimately, you were watching *J. Edgar*, not Leonardo DiCaprio struggling to become someone else while still looking like himself. It’s largely successful—with one exception: the film could have been shorter. I understand that Hoover was a significant historical figure and Eastwood assembled an excellent cast, but the movie felt too long at times, which disrupted its rhythm.

Source on TMDB