Much ado about zip

Rating: 4/10 (27 December 2004)

I was so looking forward to seeing a flick this year that might be worthy of Oscar. Still looking.
I have read the reviews posted for Avitator. They are nearly uniformly praiseworthy of this effort. I disagree.
First, Leo is not effective as Hughes. Particularly when he bursts loose with profanity. He looks absolutely childish. I literally laughed out loud each time he got angry. One reviewer noted, correctly, that the Senate hearings provide his best work as Hughes. Indeed, those scenes are, in my opinion, the only good work he does in this film.
Blanchett is quite good as Hepburn. The rest of the ensemble don't register anything, as they are in the movie for such short bursts that who can know, or care, if they turned in a good piece of work.
This movie disappointed me. I was hoping for so much more. And, I cannot figure out the generally positive (alas, sometimes rave) reviews for this film. It is very mediocre.
Maybe Million Dollar Baby can save the year in film.
Cheers