An utterly fascinating biography

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2006)

The Aviator is the second film based on the life of Howard Hughes, after 1977's The Amazing Howard Hughes, starring Tommy Lee Jones, which I haven't seen. However, whereas the first film was based on a book, The Aviator is an original work from screenwriter John Logan, whose previous work, The Last Samurai, I had tremendously enjoyed.
Upon watching this film I had no special love or hate for either director Martin Scorsese (I found his Casino to be extremely overrated) or star Leonardo DiCaprio (he was good in Catch Me If You Can, but I hadn't gotten over the over-hype of Titanic).
The Aviator is a work of genius. Obviously considered a long film, at nearly 3 hours, it simply zips past, so engrossed you are. Scorsese's direction is brilliant, as is his idea to film each period with that era's "film color palette".
The performances here are also top-notch, and are delivered from a true all-star cast. Seriously the number of faces you'll recognize (even in tiny roles) is astounding, the Ocean's movies don't come close. But key here is DiCaprio's portrayal of Hughes.
Indeed, Leonardo, present in nearly every scene, is the movie's core. And the young actor truly fascinates as he inhabits completely the billionaire genius/madman. It is through him that you see The Aviator, and it is only his actions which interest you. As it should be in biographical film.
What else is there to say? Nothing much. There are but a few words to describe The Aviator: fascinating, engrossing, enthralling.. The film has since become a favorite of mine, as has Leonardo DiCaprio.