Excerpt of the Life of Howard Hughes

Rating: 8/10 (4 February 2005)

The Aviator was a fascinating biopic on Howard Hughes, the great aviator, filmmaker and industrialist of the mid-20th century. The name doesn't symbolize so much to today's culture, but for those of us over 40, he was the Donald Trump of his day - but with more genuine wealth and success.
The approach that Scorcese takes is fascinating in that he touches on Hughes' womanizing ways without, perhaps, elevating them to the same level that they really were; and we don't see his failed marriages (shallow as they were in reality). Instead Scorcese focuses mostly on what was, in reality, a short-lived romance with Katherine Hepburn and a shallow relationship with Ava Gardner. Hughes dated virtually every starlet that went through Hollywood between the 1930's and 1950's.
Scorcese also chronicles the many bizarre idiosyncrasies of Hughes. The portrait takes Adrian Monk to the extreme! Much of this was rumor when it was actually happening - and, who know what the truth is? No doubt, however, the weight of the evidence is that Hughes had serious obsessive-compulsive issues, especially as they related to illness, and other damaging psychological problems that seemed to deteriorate over time. I appreciated Scorcese's empathetic portrayal of the man, though there was much, indeed, to dislike in him. Yet, we are left with a touch of sadness for his circumstance.
Leonardo DeCaprio certainly deserves his Oscar nomination (though it is very unlikely he'll win). DeCaprio is a much better actor than he is given credit for - as he has had to fight against the "teen-idol" image. His youth is a bit of a detriment as Hughes ages - some of his statements when he is hold up in his film room sound a bit too youthful. Aside from that brief moment, however, he pulls the role off exceptionally well.
One of the best features of this movie is the subtlety with which Scorces - while focusing on the person of Howard Hughes - genuinely captures the era of the 30's, 40's and 50's with set design and period music. This is one of the main features of the film that can leave the viewer feeling good walking out of such a movie. I rate it an 8 + out of 10.