Absorbing biography of a troubled aviator

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2005)

Even though a lot of viewers were disappointed with this movie, I enjoyed it. It was a thoroughly absorbing biography of a brilliant, but mentally ill, aviator, innovator and filmmaker. The scenes of the Hollywood nightclubs and film sets in the 1920s, 30s and 40s were interesting and vividly recreated that glamorous, excting world. Leonardo DiCaprio did an excellent job of depicting Hughes' charm, brilliance and creepiness. Cate Blanchett was wonderful as Katherine Hepburn, and Kate Beckinsale was good as Ava Gardner. The film isn't perfect. Some more information about Hughes' childhood (i..e, he was an only child, dropped out of high school, took engineering classes at Cal Tech, etc.) would have been helpful. I agree with another reviewer who said that implying that his mother caused his mental illness is unfair and inaccurate. I also agree that some of the scenes dragged on too long, especially the scenes with Katherine Hepburn. That said, it was an absorbing, well-acted and well-directed movie about a fascinating, brilliant and tragic man.