Spectacular old-fashioned epic

Rating: 7/10 (5 February 2005)

I really enjoyed The Aviator. Both in terms of story and acting, there was so much to look at and be entertained by. DiCaprio put in an excellent performance, the direction was generally very fine indeed, and the effects were almost perfect (I say "almost" because, when the Hercules carrier took off in the end, it was very obviously computer generated). The aviation scenes were absolutely spectacular. All in all an engrossing and pleasant old-fashioned epic which, in my opinion, deserves an 8 out of 10 rating.
Cate Blanchett's Katherine Hepburn was perhaps a little over-acted, but it doesn't matter, because the entertainment value of the role was so great. In the end, she did come across as convincing.
Kate Beckinsale's Ava Gardner had a smaller role, which was a pity. She obviously became very intimate with Hughes, and in the movie we never really saw the two get to know each other. There was just a cut to a point when they were well into an established relationship. That was a little disappointing to me, because I really would have liked to see a larger role for Beckinsale. I think this role was one of her best yet. There was much more *character* in the Ava Gardner part than in any other role Beckinsale has had yet. Such fire in her eyes and expressions! (And, on a costuming note, what a stunning blue and red dress she wore in the scene where she helped Hughes recuperate from his solitary isolation!)
Returning to the story, the last part of the movie seemed a little unfinished to me. The hearing scenes with Hughes being questioned by the senator and upstaging him were good, but we weren't really shown the full consequences of it. I wanted to see more of the aftermath. Also, the whole thing with Hughes' neurotic disorder was never really commented on; never explained or analyzed. Sure, we saw the childhood scenes that must have started it, but why was there no medical interlude of any kind?
So, all things considered, not quite a perfect movie, but one I was fully engaged in and entertained by. That in itself is a rarity with new movies. I do hope The Aviator wins the Oscar for Best Movie. If you ask me, this is the kind of thing Scorsese should be doing, rather than all that boring and foul-mouthed mafia stuff.