| The Aviator (2004) | |
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Rating: 7.5/10 (382,830 votes) Director: Martin Scorsese Writer: John Logan Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale Runtime: 170 min Rated: PG-13 Genre: Biography, Drama Released: 25 Dec 2004 |
| Plot: A biopic depicting the early years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes' career from the late 1920s to the mid 1940s. | |
The film tells the (true) story of film director, businessman, and passionate aviator Howard Hughes. From a brief glimpse of his childhood, the film opens with his mother warning him about infection from everywhere. Only a short scene, but conveying an important aspect of Hughes. You see, Hughes was obsessed with cleanliness and germs, and would lapse into compulsive episodes where his mind would simply lock-down. Crowded situations unnerved him, and any stress could set him off. However, through this he crafted an empire, and made history for many developments in aviation.
When Scorsese began working with DiCaprio, many film lovers the world over asked “Why?”. Gangs of New York came, and the answer wasn’t apparent. The film, although technically impressive, seemed bloated, and DiCaprio was overshadowed by Daniel Day Lewis. With The Aviator, although there are plenty of big names on board, DiCaprio has a chance to shine, and the question has finally been answered. Scorsese wanted to work with DiCaprio because he wanted to be the one to prove to us all that the lad can act!
Much like Michael Mann’s Ali documentary, this insight into Hughes shows only a small part of his life. From his epic feature film, to the end of the trials brought against him, the years portrayed were the key areas of his life. The film’s running time is long, but feels so much shorter. Completely engrossing, and never lagging, the events unfold at a rapid pace, but not too fast to leave the viewer behind.
Casting is impeccable throughout. DiCaprio, as mentioned earlier, is on excellent form, and is finally escaping the ‘floppy haired pretty boy’ of Titanic, to become a skilled actor. Cate Blanchett turns up as Katherine Hepburn, and really does become Hepburn. Her mannerisms and tics are spot on, and it actually took me 10 minutes to realise that it was Blanchett! With many other names springing up from Jude Law to Alec Baldwin, the casting is as impressive as any Scorsese film ever is. But out of all the cast on display, none struck me with such a blow as Alan Alda. As Senator Ralph Brewster, the Pan Am financed corrupt senator who tried to force Hughes to sell TWA, he is marvellous. Starting with one of the subtlest performances, and building up to the dramatic scenes later in the film, this is Alda’s best role to date, even better than his TV role as Hawkeye in MASH.
So much talent on screen would be wasted without a skilled director, and Scorsese is just that. Unlike Gangs of New York which has some fantastic sets and scenes, but the same number of dull and lifeless ones, Aviator is blessed with some of the best cinematography of the year. The shots of the various aircraft in the film are jaw-dropping, and although you can tell where the real ends and the CGI begins, it is all framed so well that you just don’t mind the occasional glitch. Making use of varying film stock to emulate the old film footage, and matching the era, the feel of the 30s and 40s is captured beautifully. With Scorsese’s usual devotion to the music included in the film, the atmosphere is perfect.
All in all this is a welcome return to form for the director, and a pleasant surprising turn for DiCaprio, leaving a film which tells a fabulous true story in a very entertaining and emotional way. This is unmissable cinema.
