This film puts the cheese in cheesecake

Rating: 8/10 (21 December 2014)

Martin Scorsese's 2004 feature "The Aviator" features once again Leonardo DiCaprio as the actor playing the main character. It happened before, it happened afterward and it will probably happen in the future again as well. The only other film between these the two I considered as great as "The Aviator" is "Shutter Island". It's a close call. I don't know how historically accurate the "quarantine" spelling reference was looking at Hughes and it felt strange initially as it seemed such a random moment from his childhood, but made lots of sense as the film went on. Apart from seeing this to find out about Howard Hughes, it is also a great film to learn about the history of movies. There are so many references included here and it shows Scorsese is a true film nut, just like he proved it again some years later with "Hugo". Anyway, you will learn a lot here about Hughes who has led quite the life. He is a Casanova, a pilot, a filmmaker and a lot more. You will learn that Hell's Angels does not only stand for a biker gang and you will see how the smart use of light and shadow can really have an impact on a film. When we see the flash of the camera on the heavily injured Hawkes after the crash (the crash itself and the fight for survival in the plane were maybe the most intense part of the film), we can almost feel his pain. Also note how Hughes wears a moustache after the crash and seems generally more grown-up and adult from there on. Being so close to death was clearly a crucial event in his life that changed almost everything. His fascination almost killed him and his insanity became also more severe because of that development.
The dinner scene with Errol Flynn is not only another great cinematic reference, but also describes Hughes perfectly in just a single scene. He hates media attention and ceremonies, but he loves his job and is 100% dedicated to it. I like J.C. MacKenzie from "Dark Angel", so it was nice to see him here, even if it was only a single scene. And then there is Katharine Hepburn of course, played by Cate Blanchett, who won her first Oscar for this portrayal. Maybe it was because of the core of her performance being an actress even when she is one in real life and never managing to be truly authentic, even towards the ones she loves. She is different just like Hawkes, but still they cannot make it work. I really liked the first flight they went on together, which was obviously a date. But it was not really about romance up there, just about having a cool time together and that also felt so different about the two. Hepburn was no woman who wanted to be courted. She wants to have a great time (even if that was in a way not exactly appropriate for a classy Hollywood actress at that time) and that was how she really connected with somebody. There was one interesting quote about how she will be the one to guide his plane when he can't, so fittingly he almost dies in an airplane crash soon after the two broke up. Other girlfriends were played by Kate Beckinsale, Gwen Stefani and Kelli Garner (who fittingly starred in the TV series PanAm a couple years later). Scorsese has a very unique humor and there is some of it in here. He can even turn obscene scenes and quotes about mammaries and boob buffets into cinematic art. Maybe the reason why "The Aviator" lost "Best Picture" that year was that it did not have the emotional impact of "Million Dollar Baby". In terms of craft, it is certainly not inferior. Maybe that is why it won the most Oscars that night. I certainly think it is a better film than "The Departed" which finally gave Scorsese his big moment with the Academy. Also it is a great film to watch if you are interested in the history of aviation and airplane development and like to see some great recordings from plane stunts in the air.
DiCaprio gives a very fine performance, maybe the best of his career as a paranoid man obsessed with cleanliness (the doorknob scene at the toilet was great), who slowly slides more and more into insanity and believes evil forces are everywhere. There is some nice music included in the movie too, from the era when it plays. "I'll Be Seeing You" is a classic. And then there is also Alec Baldwin, a solid performance that is, however, quite similar to what he has played in the past and also later on "30 Rock". Alan Alda plays a senator who cooperates with Baldwin's character and opposes Hughes strongly. The relationship between the two is very interesting and Alda was rewarded with a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for spicing up the last hour of the film. It's all about the public hearing and the future of Hughes and his enterprise. The hearing was a blast. DiCaprio really shone here and it was just a delight to watch, also because it was so unexpected. Pay attention to how all the flashing camera lights were on Alda instead of DiCaprio. If there was any criticism, maybe it is that I don't think Juan would have come to talk Hughes out of it before the hearings began. If that really happened, ignore that criticism of mine. Probably quite a bit in this film was changed for dramatic purpose, but I have no problem with that at all. The final result are three excellent hours of moviemaking with sublime acting that deserved all the recognition it received. Very much recommended. Yes it is three hours long, but it never dragged a bit.