Review 224: The Aviator
The film follows Howard Hughes' (Leonardo DiCaprio) life from the late 1920's to 1947, during that time, he becomes a successful film producer and aviation magnate, all the while becoming more unstable due to severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) made worse by plane crashes.
The plot is a marvel, you really do get a deep and extremely detailed look at his life, Howard Hughes was a brilliant man, an artist, a genius, however he was very flawed man, one who had mental health issues. He lost his parents at such a young age that it laid a mental scar on him.
On the plus he was genuinely was a genius, he looked towards the future, he was really clear sighted about what was going to happen which is a really enterprising thing. He's almost like a man of his own time, he's like the James Bond of the 1920's, he's like the man whom every man wants to be and every woman wants to kiss.
Ultimately this film goes back to the old saying "Be careful what you wish for" you may want to be incredibly wealthy and be more original than anyone else but you probably would have to put up with all the disadvantages that might come with this gift and burden.
Martin Scorsese's direction is magnificent, the cinematography is gorgeous, the production design (recreating the 1920-40's) is exquisite, the costumes are fantastic, the score by Howard Shore is excellent, the scenery is breathtaking, the props models are beautifully crafted, the make up is rich, the flying scenes are astonishing, the effects are outstanding and the ending was superb.
The acting is fabulous, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a simply captivating performance as Howard Hughes, beautifully capturing Hughes eccentricity, charm & charisma and it was interesting to see him play a character with a lot of inner turmoil.
Cate Blanchett is absolutely fabulous as Katherine Hepburn, she gets her accent right, she captures her outgoing mannerisms, she loved Howard Hughes, but due to his obsessive mannerisms she couldn't stay with him.
Kate Beckinsale, in an unusually restrained, is also effective as Ava Gardner. Hughes felt an affinity with her as she one who understood the way he operated and Beckinsale portrays that really sympathetically.
Alec Baldwin is riveting as Juan Trippe, he and Howard Hughes were rivals and he was determined to take him down.
John C. Reilly is also great in the movie as Noah Dietrich, he supported Howard Hughes until he just couldn't fulfil his wishes anymore.
Alan Alda is also great as Owen Brewster, he downright hated Howard Hughes and was determined to humiliate him.
Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Jude Law and Gwen Stefani round out the films
The Aviator is the way of the Future, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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