The Academic Definition of a Cinematic Biopic

Rating: 9/10 (18 June 2020)

There is something peculiar and special about Martin Scorsese's biopics that stood way out of your average biopics. Scorsese's main focus in making a biopic is not to just pay homage to the figure he is attributing to or just laying out events after events, but he makes it into a character study. It is the same greatness he puts into Raging Bull and The Wolf of Wall Street. In this seminal work, we the audience explore the life of Howard Hughes and his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder - a very serious mental illness. As well as shows his character's rise and fall as a billionaire as he strives in life in amidst of the struggles and challenges from his mental illness.
One of the most fascinating things about this picture is the technical achievement of it, particularly the cinematography. The story behind it is Scorsese's reminiscence of watching films of the era when he was a child, and he wanted to translate that color techniques in modern filmmaking context. Phenomenal work by cinematographer Robert Richardson who successfully imitates the early American Technicolor dye-transfer process to replicate the vintage look. The cinematography is an evolving color, with two-strip and then three-strip and then modern. All of which is reflective of the period of the time it depicts. Additionally, the films' use of color alteration in every situation, emotion, production design, costumes, and make-up are all used in a very very purposeful way to transcend the depth and meaning through all that. And that is the beauty of a Martin Scorsese picture.
Now one cannot praise this picture without acknowledging the two elephants in the room: the acting performances by Leo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett. This is my personal favorite Leo DiCaprio's performance for the way he just throws himself into the role with a lot of flexibility and portraying the essential emotions of Howard Hughes so intricately. Cate Blanchett is my second favorite actress ever, I never thought she could nail Katherine Hepburn's accent and mannerism like that. She truly truly pays tribute to the great Katherine Hepburn herself. Cate Blanchett has pulled off many amazing performances over the years, as Queen Elizabeth I, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Dylan. If that is not range, I'm sorry but I don't know what is.
Overall, Scorsese's biopics are always more than just a documentary or an average biopic, he always ventures deep into the psychology and emotion of the character and not just events after events. Scorsese's films will be studied for years and forevermore.