By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Adam Scott | Alan Alda | Alec Baldwin | Cate Blanchett | Danny Huston | France Conroy | Gwen Stefani | Ian Holm | John C. Reilly | Jude Law | Kate Beckinsale | Leonardo DiCaprio
Country: germany, japan, united_states
Year: 2004
Running time: 170
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338751/combined
Bruce says: “Similar to the childhood flashbacks in RAY, THE AVIATOR attempts to explain away Howard Hughes’ drive and craziness by presenting a telltale scene from his childhood. Scorsese has chosen a moment in 1927 where Howard’s mother is washing him, mumbling ‘Quarantine.’ I oversimplify but understate exactly how ludicrous and bumbling this ‘Rosebud’ knockoff is executed. Such sophomoric, pretentious moments can be expected from novice filmmakers. In Scorsese’s case one can only speculate he his way past his prime.
“The important thing about THE AVIATOR is its sociological significance. Along with films like THE RIGHT STUFF, QUIZ SHOW, ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN and APPOLLO 13 (to name a few that immediately come to mind) a course in Americana could be taught, tracking how we got to where we are today…the Calvinist evolving into the unbridled capitalist. While Howard Hughes is certainly no Horatio Alger, he does very much represent the American spirit. Looking closely, today’s values have many roots which are well-covered in this biopic: early Hollywood films; aviation representing a new frontier to conquer; the willingness to take risks for high stakes; and the playboy lifestyle.
“THE AVIATOR focuses on Hughes’ early life as he began making Hollywood films and founded RKO and when he began designing aircraft and founded TWA. To that add his nearly full-time career bedding Hollywood starlets such as Katherine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Jean Harlow and Faith Domergue. That is a lot of ground to cover for one film. Scorsese bit off more
than he is able to chew. His film is overblown and overwrought. Nightclub scenes are filled with what appears to be casts of thousands. Hughes’ famous suburban air crash is a candidate for the camp hall of fame. Scorsese fairs better with the smaller, more intimate scenes many of which are very well put together.
“Happily, Leonardo DiCaprio rises above the material and delivers a vivid portrait of a demonically driven, half-crazed, paranoid Howard Hughes. He rescues the film. As much publicity as Cate Blanchett has received, my estimate is that she hits the Hepburn notes only about 80% of the time. Kate Beckinsale is a dreadful Ava Gardner.
“Overall, I liked the content, hated much of the form. 3.5 cats”