Impressed

Rating: 9/10 (11 January 2005)

To be honest, I've carried a negative impression of DiCaprio since "Titanic," and especially the disastrous "Man in the Iron Mask," so I went into the movie with low expectations.
I measure a movie by how it affects me in the days after. There are two things that really worked for me. First was the depiction of his torture and descent into his madness. Haunting. I'll never wash my hands and not think about it. Second was the way Scorsese put you in the cockpit, and captured the feel of being the Aviator.
The Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale roles as Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner were incredible. Beckinsale in particular nearly knocks you off your seat with her Hollywood beauty.