| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Leonardo DiCaprio | ... | Howard Hughes | |
| Cate Blanchett | ... | Katharine Hepburn | |
| Kate Beckinsale | ... | Ava Gardner | |
| John C. Reilly | ... | Noah Dietrich | |
| Alec Baldwin | ... | Juan Trippe | |
| Alan Alda | ... | Senator Ralph Owen Brewster | |
| Ian Holm | ... | Professor Fitz | |
| Danny Huston | ... | Jack Frye | |
| Gwen Stefani | ... | Jean Harlow | |
| Jude Law | ... | Errol Flynn | |
| Adam Scott | ... | Johnny Meyer | |
| Matt Ross | ... | Glenn Odekirk | |
| Kelli Garner | ... | Faith Domergue | |
| Frances Conroy | ... | Mrs. Hepburn | |
| Brent Spiner | ... | Robert Gross | |
Biopic of billionaire Howard Hughes, starting with his early filmmaking years as owner of R.K.O. Pictures, but mostly focusing on his role in designing and promoting new aircraft. Hughes was a risk-taker spending several fortunes on designing experimental aircraft and eventually founding TWA as a rival to Pan Am airlines owned by his great rival Juan Trippe. When Trippe's politico Senator Ralph Owen Brewster accuses Hughes of being a war profiteer, it's Hughes who gains the upper hand. Hughes also had many women in his life including a long relationship with Katharine Hepburn. From an early age, however, Hughes was also germophobic and would have severe bouts of mental illness. Written by garykmcd
For all the 'Oscar buzz' one hears about this film, I came away rather disappointed. Why? 1. DiCaprio is a fine actor, granted. He does NOT possess the physical intensity that Hughes had, not to mention almost being the physical opposite. It'd be like Steve Martin playing James Dean. It's just WRONG. 2. For all the accolades Blanchett gets as Hepburn, she's somewhat of a caricature. Her accent was too over the top. What, did Scorcese think we wouldn't know who she was supposed to be? 3.I think an unknown as Hughes would have been a better idea, but then it might not have gotten the big box office receipts we're hearing about. And that's what's really at the bottom of this. I'll take the Tommy Lee Jones TV version any day!