There are few historical characters who live as intense and interesting as the eccentric and controversial Howard Hughes. He started by inheriting a tool company but his passion for aviation took him to other flights, much higher and more notable, making him one of the pioneers of aeronautics and, also, of spoken cinema. This film is truly luxurious in all aspects and is probably one of the films that will mark Di Caprio's career.
The plot starts with Hughes' efforts to shoot "Hell's Angels", first as a silent film and then as a sound film, a super-production that cost him a lot of money. The film also shows Hughes' loving connections to renowned actresses like Katharine Hepburn or Ava Gardner, the US Senate's investigations into public money that he received in order to manufacture military planes that he never delivered, the creation and expansion of TWA Airline and, finally, the psychological disorder that Hughes suffered, and that were related to a serious form of phobia to germs and diseases.
The film was expertly directed by Martin Scorsese and features a luxurious cast led by Leonardo Di Caprio, in one of the most interesting and rich roles of his career, which is already enviable at all levels. The actor worked hard and committed himself deeply to the psychological portrait of the millionaire who, little by little, sees his energy and entrepreneurship undermined by his growing phobia. Beside him is Cate Blanchett, in the role of the willful actress Katharine Hepburn. And here, honestly, I'm not sure what to think. I don't know Hepburn very well, I don't know if what Blanchett did was really true to the portrait of that actress, but I thought that sometimes it seemed a bit like a caricature. Anyway, she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, which should indicate something. Kate Beckinsale also makes an interesting appearance in the role of young Ava Gardner while Alec Baldwin and Ian Holm were good additions and did well with what was asked of them.
Technically, the film has high production values and a lot of quality. Cinematography is excellent and there is a lot of CGI involved, always of good quality and very realistic. The film is essentially set in the 30s and 60s of the last century, so the sets and costumes rightly make an effort to respond to these changes and put on the right props. The soundtrack also deserves special mention because it not only has an epic and adventurous feel to it, but it is easily heard.
THIS is Dicaprios Oscar movie. I never get tired of watching the film...Leonardo makes this movie work; anyone else and it's just a good-movie. The colors and cinematography is outstanding. Plus Kate is "simply divine!"
As luscious as the filmmaking craft here is, it lacks the rude vitality, the unpredictability, the pure American craziness of the films that should have won him (Scorsese) the Oscar: "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," and "GoodFellas."
The Aviator could've been a "Raging Bull" brother film, given that masterpiece's crystalline purity of purpose and humiliated courage. But it brakes far short.
A spectacular film that goes into great detail about the life of Howard Hughes, the ultimate aviator. The costumes are great, the sets are great, the cast is great, and the acting is top-notch. This movie is near-perfect in every way. 10/10 (Masterpiece)
I had high expectations for this movie but it didn't stand by the expectations. Neither the movie nor the direction was upto the mark. Half way through the movie, I was bored and wanted the climax to come ASAP. It was irrigating when it ended with DiCaprio saying the same sentence again and again. Main problem was it's pace and the screenplay was also little bit weak. There is some good acting which was saving point for the movie. The only good scene in the movie is when the Howard Hughes character has to defend himself. Overall, this movie could have been much better.
I am not quite sure why this film didn't resonate with me. Technically perfect, amazing sets and costumes, great cast, but it just wasn't what everyone told me it would be. I guess I was waiting for that POW to knock me off my feet and it never came around. I really don't have any complaints about this movie (other than it was pretty long) just that it didn't really catch my attention. I will say however Leonardo DiCaprio's performance was Oscar worthy, not sure why he is overlooked by some. Though The Aviator didn't really do much for me that shouldn't turn anyone off from seeing it as I am sure others will be much more impressed than I.
‘Vis ma vie de mégalo cinglé’ mais ce n’est pas très intéressant, cette vie de mégalomaniaque névrosé obsessionnel toqué même si Di Carpaccio ne ménage pas ses efforts. La faute bien évidemment à des longueurs terribles, terrifiantes d’ennui et de blablas stériles.
Et contrairement au ‘Loup de Wall street’ (par exemple), Scorsese n’a pas l’humour ni un détestable cynisme auquel se raccrocher. J’ignore si son film a la moindre valeur historique mais tel qu’il est, ii n’évoque et n’induit aucun sentiment particulier chez le spectateur à l’égard de cet Howard machinchose et personnellement je m’en contrefousde ce blaireau qui se mouche avec des bifetons.
La seule chose dont je me fous pas, c’est que la fin de ce film interminable (inter-minable ?) advienne enfin… et arrive ! et quel sentiment de libération quand évzntuellement… elle arrive. Enfin. Bref, ça reste visuellement beau, mis en scène avec soin mais putain, je me suis emmerdé pendant les deux derniers tiers du film. ou les trois quarts, je ne sais plus. Dommage pour le début qui partait bien. Mais au début seulement.
This was just a bad movie. Boring and strange. The worst part was Cate Blanchett's rendering of Katherine Hepburn. Poor Kate must be rolling over in her grave. The accent was way over the top exaggerated and the over-acting was an absolute embarrassment. Scorsese should've straightened her out and told her to fix it. Someone should've told him to straighten it out if he didn't see the problem with her performance. Her performance was one of the worst things I've ever seen in a movie. I saw it a few years ago but it has still stuck with me.
Production Company
Forward Pass,
Appian Way,
IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 3. Produktions KG,
Initial Entertainment Group (IEG),
Warner Bros.,
Miramax,
Cappa Productions,
Mel's Cite du Cinema