deCaprio and Blanchett are triumphant

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2005)

To all who are going to go and see this movie, please keep an open mind beforehand, as it is the story of only a part of Howard Hughes' life and cannot be expected to cover his entire life and career. However, what it does cover is done superbly, and for this, thanks must go to Leonardo de Caprio (absolutely brilliant as Hughes) and Cate Blanchett (who fully deserved her Oscar as Katharine Hepburn) in particular - they are brilliant, and once again de Caprio builds on his stunning performances in "Gangs of New York" and "Catch Me If You Can" - the very complex Hughes would have been a real challenge for anyone, but de Caprio nailed it. The supporting cast which includes Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale (as Ava Gardner) and Jude Law (he even looks like Errol Flynn) are all fascinating performances - do not let some critics deter you from Seeing "The Aviator" - it is long but intriguing, but, boy oh boy, what a place Hollywood must have been in the 30's.