"The Aviator" flies high.

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2005)

Leonardo DiCaprio gives an outstanding performance as Howard Hughes in "The Aviator". He evolves into a true replica of both the image as well as the persona of this complex character. Martin Scorcese is right on track in his direction of this excellent production. Jude Law is especially classy in his portrayal of Errol Flynn. Katharine Hepburn is portrayed by Kate Beckinsale and she gives a very convincing performance. Alan Alda is Senator Ralph Owen Brewster of Connecticut who assaults Hughes publicly in his Senate hearings. The psychopathy of Hughes is very believable and pithy. DiCaprio has obviously studied the psychiatric background of schizophrenia with intensity. One is overwhelmed by his characterization, and sympathy evolves for this extremely wealthy character of an earlier time in American History. The airplane scenes alone are worth the price of admission, and my hat goes off to everyone who participated in the making of this important movie. If one enjoyed "A Beautiful Mind", then this movie will be equally if not more provocative.