2008 Woodie Awards
The Aviator aims high, doesn't disappoint
Ian Folger
Issue date: 3/1/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Few people know much about Howard Hughes, the eccentric billionaire who headed Trans World Airlines and funded some of the most opulent and over-the-top motion pictures of his day. The Aviator, however, aims to change that.
The movie follows Hughes's life from a relatively young man and continues up until his obsessive-compulsive behavior began to completely overtake his life. Following the success of the 2002 vehicle Gangs of new York, Director Martin Scorcese once again has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio, following the success of the 2002 vehicle Gangs of New York, but this time the critics, as well as the audiences, are lining up in droves to praise their efforts.
At the start of the film, Hughes is introduced as a likable, extremely ambitious tycoon chasing his dream of making the perfect World War I epic, which will ultimately become Hell's Angels. The extraordinary amount of effort, and money, he puts into the project soon become the stuff of legend, as he comes dangerously close to financial, and personal, ruin in the process.
When not working, Hughes is an avid pilot and womanizer, for in his personal time he is either up in the air or escorting any number of Hollywood starlets around town. Scorcese pays particular attention to Hughes's relationship with fellow socialite Katharine Hepburn, who in many ways strives to help him overcome the lack of privacy and overabundance of fame that will ultimately drive the two apart. DiCaprio, for his part, is spot-on, literally becoming a man being torn apart by personal demons and shortcomings. The viewer cannot help but sympathize with Hughes, who is painfully germophobic and paranoid, even when he is spying on loved ones and jeopardizing the careers of all those who work for him. Following the success of Hell's Angels, Hughes decides to purchase TWA, subsequently becoming a pioneer in aviation technology and helping to thwart an attempt by Pan-American Airlines to hold a monopoly over the skies. Alec Baldwin, who plays Pan-Am head Juan Trippe, is perfectly cast as the villain, as his cool demeanor and ruthless business persona serve as an interesting character foil of the fiery Hughes.
The movie follows Hughes's life from a relatively young man and continues up until his obsessive-compulsive behavior began to completely overtake his life. Following the success of the 2002 vehicle Gangs of new York, Director Martin Scorcese once again has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio, following the success of the 2002 vehicle Gangs of New York, but this time the critics, as well as the audiences, are lining up in droves to praise their efforts.
At the start of the film, Hughes is introduced as a likable, extremely ambitious tycoon chasing his dream of making the perfect World War I epic, which will ultimately become Hell's Angels. The extraordinary amount of effort, and money, he puts into the project soon become the stuff of legend, as he comes dangerously close to financial, and personal, ruin in the process.
When not working, Hughes is an avid pilot and womanizer, for in his personal time he is either up in the air or escorting any number of Hollywood starlets around town. Scorcese pays particular attention to Hughes's relationship with fellow socialite Katharine Hepburn, who in many ways strives to help him overcome the lack of privacy and overabundance of fame that will ultimately drive the two apart. DiCaprio, for his part, is spot-on, literally becoming a man being torn apart by personal demons and shortcomings. The viewer cannot help but sympathize with Hughes, who is painfully germophobic and paranoid, even when he is spying on loved ones and jeopardizing the careers of all those who work for him. Following the success of Hell's Angels, Hughes decides to purchase TWA, subsequently becoming a pioneer in aviation technology and helping to thwart an attempt by Pan-American Airlines to hold a monopoly over the skies. Alec Baldwin, who plays Pan-Am head Juan Trippe, is perfectly cast as the villain, as his cool demeanor and ruthless business persona serve as an interesting character foil of the fiery Hughes.