This one flies high

Rating: 9/10 (12 February 2005)

Howard Hughes was an enigmatic almost mystical flying genius and tycoon, and Scorcese's film gives us a sweeping portrait of the man in all his various sides. This is truly one of the best films I've seen this year. I have always thought that Leonardo DiCapprio, despite his popularity and plethora of unusual roles, has always been underestimated as an actor, and here he portrays Hughes' complex personality with all its intrigue and intensity. The Oscar nominations (final vote not decided at this writing) are all well deserved. The movie is episodic, and my girlfriend would have liked to see more historical context in some of the scenarios. We left wondering at what Hughes, despite his serious mental illness, was able to accomplish, and how much more he might have done had modern treatment been available.