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
There is no doubt that THE AVIATOR is the masterpiece of both director Martin Scorsese and actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio becomes Howard Hughes. The actor is so profoundly absorbed in the role that the DiCaprio we know from other films cannot be found in this film. It is a bravura performance of great depth and magnitude. DiCaprio richly deserves his first Academy Award.
I have never know much about Howard Hughes. This film opened my eyes to him as a personality, a businessman, aviator and his lavish lifestyle. DiCaprio no longer is the "pretty boy" from other films. The expressions he takes on are not handsome, the deeply furrowed brow, one could actually watch him, as Hughes' character, think his way through challenging situations, the mark of a highly gifted actor. Watching DiCaprio evolve into the paranoid schizophrenic Hughes in the latter part of the film is a stunning example of pure acting. Leo deserves recognition for recreating a most difficult personality.
Though the film is long, it never slows down nor gets boring and it commanded my attention from start to finish. It is masterpiece cinema for these two men and for other actors too. Cate Blanchette must be commended for her role as Katherine Hepburn. Every role was played by first rate actors.
If you want to understand a piece of American history from the 30s through the 1940s, this film will illumine you. It may not be the greatest film ever made but it sure is cinema to the max and worth seeing, without a second thought.