Very disappointing indeed

Rating: 6/10 (30 March 2005)

I have to admit that I didn't expect much of this movie in the first place. I had heard comments about it (both for and against it), but as it won all the academy awards it did but succeeded in NOT winning the "important" ones, I became curious of it. There had to be things right in this movie, but also a lot of wrongs.
I was right about that. I'm sad to say that the good or even great things were in the minority. One of the highlights was Cate Blanchett as Ms. Hepburn. She did an amazing work and really earned the Oscar she won. Then there were the beautiful airplane-scenes and the dressing and everything else. But that's about it.
On the minus side there we have a story that might interest someone who is either familiar with Howard Hughes' life, interested in aviation or just American. I'm not any of those. I do know Mr. Hughes by reputation but I had never before seen what kind of person he was. And Leonardo DiCaprio didn't help much in that. There are actors that can express an amazingly wide variation or emotions with minimum acting, like it took no effort at all. Then there are people like DiCaprio, who have to struggle for the slightest emotion and who look like they're in physical pain in even the supposedly easiest scenes there are.
DiCaprio did a good work at times though. He wasn't bad all together. But many of the scenes made me feel bad for the original H.H. After all, there is a difference in acting someone with compulsive disorders and someone with a bellyache...
I can't really say you should see this. If you want to, go ahead. I wouldn't suggest it though. This movie takes your time and your money and leaves you feeling empty. If you're a fan of the actors or actresses, go see it. Especially if you like Cate Blanchett. She is the best thing in the whole movie. But if you don't know a thing about Howard Hughes or aren't in to aviation...forget about it.