Review of The Aviator (2004) by Patrik E — 27 Mar 2011

"The way of the future, the way of the future, the way of the future, the way of the future...".

Leonardo Dicaprio was robbed at the Oscars by Jamie Foxx in 2005. His career is a richly colored palette of diverse characters that shines a light on just how talented an actor he is. I've seen almost everything Dicaprio has starred in and I believe this is his best performance to date. He plays Howard Hughes who was known for many things to include being one of the richest men in the world, a business tycoon, an inventor, a movie director, a womanizing playboy who dated some of the most beautiful woman in the world, but above all Howard wanted to be known for his biggest passion; an Aviator and he was a great one at that. Howard was truly a Casanova of his time, but his talent and genius tinkered on the edge of madness and it was connected with a mental illness of an undiagnosed disease at the time that is widely known today as obsessive compulsive disorder.

Martin Scorsese like always does a terrific job at directing this film. An excellent supporting cast is here as well with standout performances by John C Reilly, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, and Cate Blanchett's award winning performance as actress Katharine Hepburn. This film packs so much substance in its epic storyline. We see Hughes's the lover, the inventor, the brilliant visionary, and we see him at war with competition, the U.S. Congress, and most of all the demons within himself. One of my favorites. 10/10 from me.