Brilliant and Eccentric

Rating: 8/10 (2 January 2006)

I was expecting a long conventional biopic and much to my surprise this picture turned out more eccentric and interesting than I thought it would. The SFX were understated and perfect, particularly the brilliant use of large-scale remote controlled model aircraft instead of cheesy-looking CGI. I kept guessing why the color palettes shifted so wildly and inexplicably (the movies doesn't really kick into full color until we are introduced to the celestial lair of Hughes' arch-rival Juan Trippe.) The cast is eccentric and spot-on. Everyone noted Blanchett's turn as Hepburn, but the rest of the cast rises to the occasion; Adam Scott is especially fun as Hughe's pencil-mustachioed, fast-talking publicist. There's the odd mix of dangerous and jolly fun from "Goodfellas" here in the progressions of Hughes' philanderings and worsening mental illness, and the movie builds steadily to its climax. Stick with it and you will be rewarded.