Scorsese's energetic biopic reminds audiences of the mystique of Hughes

Rating: 8/10 (31 December 2004)

It's quite natural to remember Howard Hughes as the old recluse who suffered from his own demons and eccentricities but this film instead shines on the man during his most important years where he often over shadowed the most prominent of movie stars. The film starts out in the later part of the 1920's where Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) is smack in the middle of making "Hell's Angels" with Jean Harlow (Gwen Stefani) and continues with his activities as one of the most important pioneers in aviation.
*****SPOILER ALERT***** From 1927 through 1947 we watch Hughes as a playboy dating some of the most recognizable actresses including Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett), Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale), and Faith Domergue (Kelli Garner) and it's his relationship with Hepburn that was one of his most passionate. Hughes was the top shareholder for TWA and controlled it but Pan Am president Juan Trippe (Alec Baldwin) wants to buy it but Hughes keeps refusing his offers which leads to Trippe getting Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster (Alan Alda) threatening Hughes with an investigation and attempting to ruin his future business deals. Hughes also breaks several speed records with aircraft that he's designed and even through surviving plane crashes he still builds and flies the Hercules (aka Spruce Goose) which is the largest airplane ever built. While all this goes on Hughes deals with his own personal demons that would eventually get the better of him from constantly washing his hands to being paranoid and getting stuck on certain words and phrases.
Martin Scorsese once again splendidly recreates a certain point in time and here it's Hollywood during the 20 years when Hughes was at his most industrious. There are two ways that old Hollywood can be recreated today and the first would be in black and white but cinematographer Robert Richardson gives us the other alternative with beautiful colors. Some of the shots in the film range from the colorful interiors to the soft haze of certain close-ups that is reminiscent of photo's of old Hollywood stars. The performances are exceptional and Blanchett should be given special praise for the ungodly task of recreating the spirit of Hepburn. I've heard many comment that DiCaprio doesn't exactly embody Hughes and I agree but I look at his performance the same way that I see this film. Not only does DiCaprio capture the drive and nerve of the man but he also gives the audience a reason to be interested in his accomplishments and failures. As a director Scorsese sets the bar pretty high even for himself and while this isn't exactly as riveting as "Raging Bull" this is still a superb accomplishment in terms of film-making and one that is a marvel to watch.