2/2/2005
The Aviator stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, John C. Reilly as Noah Dietrich, Alec Baldwin as Juan Trippe, Alan Alda as Sen. Ralph Owen Brewster, Ian Holm as Professor Fitz, Danny Huston as Jack Frye, Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow, Jude Law as Errol Flynn, Adam Scott as Johnny Meyer, Matt Ross as Glenn Odekirk, Kelli Garner as Faith Domergue, Frances Conroy as Mrs. Hepburn, Brent Spiner as Robert Gross, Stanley DeSantis as Louis B. Mayer, Edward Herrmann as Joseph Breen, Willem Dafoe as Roland Sweet, Kenneth Walsh as Dr. Hepburn, J.C. MacKenzie as Ludlow, Nellie Sciutto as Nadine Henley, Vincent Laresca as Jorge, Justin Shilton as Test Pilot, Josie Maran as Thelma, Sam Hennings as Frank, Gavin Black as Hughes' Film Crewman, Emma Campbell as Helen Frye, Joe Cobden as Guest at Dinner Party, Jacob Davich as Young Howard Hughes, Elizabeth DeCicco as Starlet, Stéphane Demers as Maître d', Al Dubois as Pan Am Executive, Meghan Elizabeth as Starlet, Trevor Hayes as Chef, Harrison Held as Louis B. Mayer Crony, Arthur Holden as Radio Announcer, Chase Hoyt as Fan, Manoel Hudec as News Analyst, Ronnie Kerr as Hughes' Aide, Jason Klamm as Man in Tux at 'Hell's Angels' Premiere, Brian T. Lynch as Ground Crewman, Jane Lynch as Amelia Earhart, Aleksandrs Petukhovs as CIA Agent, James Rae as FBI Agent, Matthew Reidy as Photographer, Richard Rossi as Queen Mary Guest, Scott Sahadi as Photographer, Amy Sloan as Allene Hughes, Linda Smith as Guest, Harry Standjofski as Louis B. Mayer Crony, Dennis St John as Custodian, Chris Ufland as Engineer, Loudon Wainwright III as Musician at Cocoanut Grove, Martha Wainwright as Vocalist at Cocoanut Grove, Rufus Wainwright as Singer at Cocoanut Grove, Jeremy Zafran as TWA Executive Yves Jacques, Lisa Bronwyn Moore as Noah's Wife, Kevin O'Rourke as Spencer Tracy, Joseph P. Reidy as Aide to Howard, Benjamin Centoducati as Film Worker, Danielle Franke as Esquire Starlet, Martin Scorsese as Hell's Angels Projectionist (voice), and Michael-John Wolfe as Cary Grant
The Aviator is the story of Howard Hughes, kind of. It shows his early playboy image and his eccentricities. There is much more to Howard Hughes than is depicted in this film. So it is with Hollywood and artistic license. What we do get is a wonderful film showing his drive and determination. Howard Hughes is a Can-do Hands-on owner of a large multi-million dollar enterprise. He is always absorbed in his projects and shows the world that what he sets out to do he accomplishes. He does not like the public attention although he creates it wherever he goes or whatever he does.
The Aviator although a long film, (170 minutes), moves us through the life of Howard Hughes quickly. The acting in this film is superb! Although the famous characters seem a little over the top, (maybe by design), the actors give performances that make the viewer believe they are seeing the actual person. Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, steals the show. Her portrayal makes me want to see Bringing Up Baby again, just to hear Katharine Hepburn's playful banter. Leonardo DiCaprio is also great as Howard Hughes. I have seen great and bad performances from him. This is a great one! The supporting roles are terrific! I have to see this again just to find all the actors I missed because they were so convincing in their portrayal.
The Aviator is a must see for anyone who lived through the Howard Hughes era (1920 - 1976). For those who just love great moviemaking this film is for you, too!
I give it 4 out of 5 Bars of Soap: 