Review of The Aviator (2004) by Filipeneto — 23 Jul 2020

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.