Thanks for the review! This is definitely a movie that I'm interested in seeing.
I've read at least one novel (Don DeLillo's Underworld) that implies that Hoover may have been homosexual and closeted; whatever the truth of that, it's clear that repression was a major component of his personal MO.
Historians are still arguing about this but it's hard for me personally to believe that he wasn't. Purvis was a favorite of his whom Hoover later dropped, denying and covering over his role in the Dillinger capture. After that Hoover struck up a close relationship with Clyde Tolson (who was featured in Underworld). Until Hoover died decades later, they ate their meals together and holidayed together, though they only lived together briefly while Tolson was ill. Tolson inherited Hoover's estate, moved into his house, and accepted the American flag from Hoover's burial (something that usually the widow or family member does). Whatever they did or didn't do in bed, they were certainly life partners at the least. It fascinates me that all this happened while they were persecuting gays and lesbians in government.
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regna
(no subject)
Date: 2009-07-09 06:56 (UTC)I've read at least one novel (Don DeLillo's Underworld) that implies that Hoover may have been homosexual and closeted; whatever the truth of that, it's clear that repression was a major component of his personal MO.
Historians are still arguing about this but it's hard for me personally to believe that he wasn't. Purvis was a favorite of his whom Hoover later dropped, denying and covering over his role in the Dillinger capture. After that Hoover struck up a close relationship with Clyde Tolson (who was featured in Underworld). Until Hoover died decades later, they ate their meals together and holidayed together, though they only lived together briefly while Tolson was ill. Tolson inherited Hoover's estate, moved into his house, and accepted the American flag from Hoover's burial (something that usually the widow or family member does). Whatever they did or didn't do in bed, they were certainly life partners at the least. It fascinates me that all this happened while they were persecuting gays and lesbians in government.