A moving and heartbreaking story

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2005)

I went into the theater humongously skeptical about Leonardo DiCaprio, who seemed too boyish and callow to play Hughes, but came out a true believer. The film was incredibly moving and heartbreaking. Cate Blanchett overdid Kate Hepburn a bit, and Kate Beckinsale, who played Ava Gardner, had none of Ava's edge and sophistication and world-weariness (and no one will ever be that beautiful), and seemed to be playing dress-up most of the time, but those were not big quibbles for me.
To watch the gradual descent of this man, who had so much passion and promise, was absolutely devastating, and presented with great care and dignity. Unlike most films that deal with mental illness, the human being came through quite clearly. As usual, Scorcese told a complex story with great wit, compassion, and insight, and tremendous drama and flair. And I didn't realize how long it was until I looked at the time when I left the theater, which is a good sign.