A Candy-Coated Treat

Rating: 8/10 (2 January 2013)

A movie extravaganza of style that is bigger than life, like the infamous Howard Hughes. His life was so brimming in every aspect that it would be virtually impossible to be complete or even comprehensive when undertaking such a vibrant and eccentric man.
This film is more of a candy-coated treat. A slight insight and palatable piece of cinema that is always a bit overdone and somewhat fancy. It has the look and feel of a carnival ride that is fast, thrilling, and over the top. There is nothing here that is profound or insightful and it barely tries to be so.
It is entertainment. The "real" HH is left for the Documentaries and the Biographies. This is a movie about movie making, empire building, and creative charisma, about the life and times of one of the most flamboyant flakes that ever captured headlines and trophy girlfriends.
It is as fun as it could be with the subtle touches on the troubling psychosis and the constant financial shenanigans. The move could be called a "Hollywood Bio" because that is exactly what it is. Nothing new, or revelatory, just a glossy Movie Magazine look at one of the Twentieth Century's most enigmatic pioneers.