A Great Documentary About a Great American

Rating: 10/10 (9 January 2005)

Howard Hughes was the greatest aviator in the world. This film fairly depicts his contributions to aviation - and the mental illness that overtook him. Is that illness called "Compulsive/Obsessive Disorder?" It doesn't really matter. Great people are (or should be) judged by their contributions to society and not by their illnesses or their sex lives.
The whole film was very carefully assembled to accurately represent the period and the attitudes of persons living during those years. The Acting and Direction were excellent. The sets and photography were near perfect. The music was always appropriate.
For me, this was a 3 hour look backward to the time of my childhood. Perhaps it will not appeal to the young, but "The Aviator (2004)" should be seen by all adult Americans and Europeans. It is a film showing the truth about America's part in the technological developments of air travel. Stating the truth about Mr. Hughes private life (and mental health problems) underscores the honesty of the production.
I would only wish that the film had also shown the death of Mr.Hughes. Yes, his end was especially sad, but I think it should have been a part of the film. The end credits might even have mentioned that at the time of Mr. Hughes' death, there did not exist the medications now being used successfully to combat mental illness.