MovieChat Forums > J. Edgar (2011) Discussion > Am I crazy 2 think...

Am I crazy 2 think...

posted 13 years ago by jamesmurphybb
12 replies | jump to latest

That Hoover and Tolson's relationship was basically portrayed as strictly platonic? There's zero indication of them having sex, or even kissing -when Tolson did kiss him, Hoover went 'Don't ever do that again!'-

But, I mean, they did live ALL THEIR LIVES together, evidently. How can they NOT have sex? Why would Tolson stick around if his love was unrequited.

Was it fear of showing these scenes the reason why we didn't see them being intimate? 'Cause there's literally no evidence of 'real' affection -sure, they hold hands for a while, but that's pretty much it-

What do you guys think?

[–] ratracer 13 years ago

Having read a lot about Hoover, my guess is they might indeed never have had sex. They did spend practically all of their time together but never lived under the same roof, except on vacation and on weekends when they were out of town. They could have done something on these occasions, but actually I think both of them were so deeply repressed that maybe they never allowed themselves to embrace their leaning. Just my 2 cents.
I would love to know. Unfortunately, no one was with them in their bedroom and lived to tell the tale.

[–] jamesmurphybb 13 years ago

I just don't see how this state of utter and sheer repression is even plausible. You have to, eventually, put your guard down. Even if it's incited by drunkenness.

I would indeed feel quite sad if this were true. Poor souls...

[–] GPJ_Zen 12 years ago

Agreed. I´ve found that those who have expressed upset that a sexual relationship between the two was not further explored in the movie must not realized that their relationship took place decades ago, during a time that our society (in regard to sexuality, civil liberties, etc...) was vastly different to how it is now.

[–] tpaul411 12 years ago

I actually think their relationship was platonic. J Edgar lived with his mother until he was in his 40's. Talk about repressed. Plus he was so paranoid that I am sure he thought that if he gave in to his leanings, he would be found out and chased out of Washington. I suspect that he was too repressed to act on it and Tolson found other avenues.

[–] GPJ_Zen 12 years ago

Moreover, can anyone consider that perhaps he wasn´t homosexual but rather asexual, and felt more comfortable with men, certainly with Tolson? Why do we, as humans, feel everything must be black or white, no in-between?

I believe their relationship was platonic but; moreover, I am open to the possibility that Hoover did not want to have sex with him. Am I crazy to think that? (lol)

[–] TheOpinionGuy 13 years ago

he was a homo that never did come out of the closet. and the relationship was just to keep up appearance to the outside.

[–] enterdream2 13 years ago

One way to figure it out is to use logic about human's tendencies.

All you need is 1 gay guy to get the sex initialized in a 2 guys relationship. Even 2 straight dudes explore with each other given the right circumstances.

So, even if Edgar was 100% straight or 100% asexual, there was sex going on. It came from Tolson' side.

And so Edgar must have been loving the sex, he kept Tolson beside him most of his life.

--

[–] ratracer 13 years ago

I just don't see how this state of utter and sheer repression is even plausible. You have to, eventually, put your guard down. Even if it's incited by drunkenness.

Remember we are talking about a different era here. Homosexuality was a no-no, and so was drunkenness in public, not only during prohibition. Also, the point about being repressed is that you don't give in to your desires, so I doubt Tolson would have initiated sex any more than Hoover.
Maybe this is one of the reasons why Hoover was such a messed up, power-crazed, abusive human being. Because he never allowed himself to have sex, or really love someone, or be loved...

[–] oystergirl94 13 years ago

Clearly, you don't recognize tasteful romance when you see it. For Heaven's sake, just because we didn't see them in bed doesn't mean they didn't have sex! They were in love. In the fight/kiss scene, they were having a FIGHT! Lovers fight and when they fight, passions flare. He told Tolson not to kiss him again, probably because it caused him a great deal of emotional pain.

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[–] shonoffilm 12 years ago

I was wondering the same thing. No man, be him gay or straight, would be celibate that long with the person he loves. I figured Tolson (sp?) had sexual encounters with other men since Edgar never gave in. But during the hotel scene when he got angry that Edgar had been spending quality time with the woman he met (actress?) showed that he was against an open relationship. I have no clue honestly.