The Spot Where Love Goes

Above all, this movie is wonderfully artistic, poetic, strong but yet extremely subtle, with a terrifying commentary on societal pressures and the exercise of (perhaps, absolute) power. Despite personal opinions on one of the most polarizing figures in U.S. history, this movie to me is about the joys of, and yet bittersweet, love, without Hollywood's saccharine romantic fluff. It does not shout but gently takes you by the hand, and lets you journey together to the end of what we could possibly regard as "true love" in humanly proportions. The final dinner scene between Edgar and Clyde is tremendously tender and poignant, and one cannot help but be crushed to witness as Clyde is failing in his physical health, Edgar is already completely wrecked emotionally. This movie honorably debunks common misconceptions and restores the chastity of love, and reminds us that love requires absolute loyalty, commitment, patience, faith, sacrifices, struggles and restrained passions - virtues which are strange in today's context. Their splendid tripartite relationship is agonizingly allegorized upon Edgar's death: Clyde covering his modesty while Helen shreds his personal files - both lovers exemplifying their ultimate love for Edgar till the end. The ensemble of Leonardo DiCaprio supported by Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts is excellent. This is another of Clint Eastwood's superb masterpiece, that will surely become a classic, but unfortunately recognized only many years down the road. 

J. Edgar Hoover: Funny how even the dearest face will fade away in time, but most clearly I remember your eyes with a sort of teasing smile in them, and the feeling of that soft spot just northeast of the corner of your mouth.

Clyde Tolson: I see right through you, you're scared, heartless, horrible little man!

Helen Gandy: All the admiration in the world can't fill the spot where love goes.