The Aviator
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchette,
John C. Reilly, Alan Alda
Director: Martin Scorsese
The film: Howard Hughes was by all reports an enigmatic character, so in a way it's fitting that Martin Scorsese's sprawling biopic runs to some 170 minutes - and still leaves you wanting to know more.
And as brilliant as the director has been throughout his career - and as close to his heart as some of his subjects have been - you get the impression that he revelled at the chance to plump for all-out entertainment. And entertain he does, throwing us into Hughes' life as his star was rising and letting loose Leonardo DiCaprio to play the man as a wildly charismatic and driven playboy.
Scorsese (right with DiCaprio) charts Hughes' foray into the film world and you can feel the delight the director took reproducing the sets of a man as driven towards perfection as he is himself. In the same manner he tackles Hughes' obsession with flight - and we're urged to look on in wide-eyed enthusiasm too.