When asked to recall Leonardo DiCaprio’s most celebrated works, the list of movies that pop into our mind largely include his iconic blockbusters. But Scorcese’s poster boy has also featured in some films that didn’t get the attention, adulation and respect that they truly deserved. So, in today’s episode of Lost and Found, we’re revisiting one such film that may have slipped through the cracks but is one of DiCaprio’s most underrated gems that couldn’t be more compelling.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, we’re talking about the 2011 Clint Eastwood directorial J. Edgar. The biopic on the life of the FBI's famous first director is a fascinating portrait of one of the most powerful and enigmatic figures in American history. Hoover’s career spanned nearly five decades, during which he became the face of law enforcement in the U.S., shaping the FBI into the premier intelligence agency that it is today. DiCaprio’s portrayal of Hoover is nothing short of mesmerizing and he digs deep into the complexities of Hoover’s character—his rise to power, his obsession with control, and his private life, which remained a mystery to the public for years.

Unlike most biopics which are accused of white-washing the image of the protagonist, this one also packs in the controversial bits about Hoover’s life. For one, we’re introduced to his questionable methods of collecting dirt on politicians and civil rights leaders, which makes you reflect on the balance between security and privacy in our current age of mass surveillance. It also helps that Eastwood renders this story through a timeless lens, making it more of a character study than a typical biopic.

You’ll often hear people rave about The Revenant or The Wolf of Wall Street, but J. Edgar is one role where DiCaprio is actually eclipsed by the character he portrays on the screen. Slipping into the skin of Hoover and following his life across decades required a notable physical transformation, and this film manages to pull it off with just the right makeup to be convincing. From his commanding presence in FBI boardrooms to his quieter, more vulnerable moments with his close confidant Clyde Tolson (played by Armie Hammer), DiCaprio is on point throughout this film.

While on the topic, let’s put it out there. This is not your typical crowd-pleaser. But it is surely one that compels you to introspect and question the ethical dilemmas Hoover must have grappled with in the course of his singularly prolific career. So if you’re up for a thought-provoking biopic that immerses you into the life of the man of extraordinary abilities and unparalleled achievements, this one's for you. You can catch J. Edgar on Jio Cinema.

Written by Kunal Guha