The Aviator is not a movie from 2004, but really the way movies at their best used to be.

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2011)

The Aviator-****-A Masterpiece- Directed by: Martin Scorsese. Written by: John Logan, Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law, Adam Scott, Matt Ross, Kelli Garner, Brent Spiner, Edward Herrmann, Willem Dafoe.
The life of Howard Hughes is vividly re-told in Scorsese's film adaptation, going through his life as a filmmaker and pilot, his marriage to Katherine Hepburn, and his battle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. All of which take place between the years of 1927-1947.
When we call a film a masterpiece, we normally have symbolism, originality, and pure brilliance in the way that the director presents his action. This is a somewhat different case because though it has some of those qualities, it is mostly an excellent film because of how efficient Scorsese is as a director. The reason I call this a masterpiece is because I found it impossible to find flaws with it, not because of any symbolism or figurative storytelling.
The cinematography by Robert Richardson and the set design by Dante Ferretti are both shockingly creative in the fact that they make you feel like you are back in Howard Hughes's time period. Costume designs by Sandra Powell do not take away from the overall experience either. The real brilliance behind the film however is how Scorsese and DiCaprio make Hughes a more likable character than Katherine Hepburn or Spencer Tracy. Hughes is a connectible character despite the fact that he is a half-insane womanizer. Scorsese's direction is piercingly honest but beautifully touching much like Raging Bull.
The performances are powerful as well especially DiCaprio and Blanchett as Hughes and Hepburn. Beckinsale gets a good chance to show off her beauty as Ava Gardner and Alda gets a great role to work with as well. Yet the most prevailing thing about it is the flawless portrait of a man with psychological disorder and a brilliance in innovation that finds a way to beat his problems no matter how daunting they are.