The Aviator Soars

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 2004)

Wondered if DiCaprio could pull off a dark, complex role ? Wondered if Scorcese would pull back from the excess and cant which almost ruined "Gangs of New York" ? Wondered if Howard Hughes-rake,megalomaniac and robber baron-could be made to be interesting or compelling ? Well I wondered on all 3 counts before seeing the Aviator, and am pleased to report the answer is yes on all 3 counts. It's not a perfect picture, partly because Scorcese wants to provide a big sweep: huge sets with hundreds of extras, huge "production values". They're fun, provide lots of useful clips for the trailer but don't add much the story. There are a few characters who make an appearance for no particular purpose such as Jude Law playing Errol Flynn. The film is at its best when it hews to its main character. At the end of the day the movie is about the inner demons of Howard Hughes, and everything else is just (very watchable) froth.