10 Performances In Film Biopics That Got It Horribly Wrong

There was significant buzz surrounding Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar when the picture debuted in 2011. Everything seemed to be in place for a riveting dramatic exposé on one of modern history's most famous and controversial faces - the shady director of the organization that would go on to become known as the FBI, John Edgar Hoover.

Helmed by a legendary actor and director in Eastwood and featuring Leonardo DiCaprio - one of the finest and most naturally gifted performers of his generation - in the leading role, J. Edgar appeared to be an absolute shoe-in for a tidal wave of glowing critical reception, if not awards consideration. Unfortunately, the fact that much of the media buzz following the film's release was directed towards the prosthetics used in bringing Hoover to life spoke volumes.

While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, DiCaprio ultimately turns in a fairly solid performance. With that being said, expectations are stratospherically high when it comes to the masterful actor and the unfortunate truth of the matter is that his performance here - with every imaginable nuance buried beneath 20 kilos of makeup - doesn't hold a candle to his spellbinding turns in the likes of The Aviator, Shutter Island and The Departed.

This combined with some uncharacteristically clueless direction from Eastwood combines for a drab offering from two titans of the industry.