Enough for an Oscar?

Rating: 7/10 (19 January 2005)

There is always a little extra excitement involved when seeing a movie that has had a lot of buzz about it before reaching Sweden. And "The Aviator" is such a movie. Not least because most people are wondering if this is the movie that will finally give Martin Scorsese his Oscar for best director.
This is the story of millionaire Howard Hughes. The man who started out with a tool company, began his film-making career with the worlds most expensive film and then went on to become a pioneer in aviation. A story about a manic and intense individual, a man of great success but also one who lived constantly on the edge. And not only is this movie about his life's work but also about his turbulent personal life and the many women he loved.
Martin Scorsese has long been a man with a distinct feel when it comes to style. And that is very noticeable here. "The Aviator" is a beautiful film with a lovingly created world, intense pictures and astonishing sound and music. A delight for the senses. But the movie is also well played with a huge cast of well known and talented actors in both big and small parts. Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent as Howard Hughes, but the strongest star of the movie is still Cate Blanchett. She steals every scene she graces with her appearance.
The story of Howard Hughes is fascinating. Not the least because he himself was a fascinating man, but also because of all the famous people that he crossed paths with. Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Erroll Flynn Scorsese treats Howard Hughes with a certain respect, but he doesn't shy away from his less flattering sides. This also means that Scorsese steers away from making an idolized portrait and the movie feels more real, Hughes never feels like a saint.
So, about the Oscar. Will this be enough for the "Best director"-Oscar? My guess is no, unfortunately I believe that Scorsese will once again fall short. That however doesn't mean that this is a bad movie. Far from it. "The Aviator" is well directed, well played, interesting and entertaining. A recommended viewing, I rate it 7/10.