The Aviator opens with Howard Hughes in his childhood taking a bath while his mother warns him about the dangers of cholera and typhoid.  These memories continued to haunt Hughes throughout his life as he developed a severe bacteriophobia, which is also a significant part of the film.  The audience can see Hughes, performed by Leonardo DiCaprio, ask for milk in a sealed container in order to confirm that no one has touched the milk with their filthy hands.  There are also dramatic scenes in men's bathrooms where Hughes frenetically washes his hands with soap that he carries in his pocket.  This is a very real phobia for many people, including Hughes, who suffered from panic attacks that gave symptoms such as shortness of breath, sweating, and fear that produced repetitive uttering of his last thought.

Martin Scorsese focuses on the years between 1927 and 1950 when Hughes was a more public figure as he later withdrew by living in what he might have called quarantine.  This means that the film truly begins with Hughes being in the middle of making a film, Hell's Angels, which at the time became the most expensive film ever made.  Through the making of the film the audience is introduced to Hughes and some of the characters that were more or less important to him as he hired them.  Hell's Angels becomes the period that illustrates Hughes' persona, which shows a determined and detail oriented man with an internal drive to make things perfect at whatever cost.

Through Hughes' role as a filmmaker he meets several women of considerable beauty, which most men would dream of having a date with, such as Jean Harlow (Gwen Stefani), Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett), and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale).  Through the story the audience gets to experience Hughes' charm as he persuaded women to fall for him.  Even thought Hughes was considered to be a playboy it also becomes apparent that these three women had a stronger impact on Hughes.  For example, Katharine Hepburn became a person that Hughes regarded as an equal, and Ava Gardner a close friend with whom he trusted and had a relationship.  The women in Hughes' life are essential to his way of looking at things such as when he is inspecting a prototype plane.  

In the shadow of his severe phobia Hughes accomplished several great feats such as revolutionizing flying and the way people understood it as he was a dreamer and visionary.  The visionary inside Hughes was incredibly impulsive and a great risk taker, and it was these parts of his personality that drove him to try to accomplish great things.  Hughes' brilliance came with a price as the people around him often were intimidated by him and his risk taking, but they were often well treated by him as his financial generosity become well-known.  Success gave Hughes several enemies, but there was only one enemy that was his true enemy.  This enemy has already been mentioned as he struggled with his bacteriophobia, which often caused him trouble.

The Aviator has a tremendous cast with actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, and Jude Law to name a few.  These actors perform brilliantly as they give Aviator the right touch of realism, which enhances genuine impressions of each character.  Initially DiCaprio seems young, but this notion is quickly washed away as his performance requires several difficult accomplishments in front of the camera such as when Hughes struggles with his phobia and when he sits in front of the Congressional Review Board.  The cast around DiCaprio elevates his performance as they also give the audience a truly remarkable appearance.  Kate Beckinsale's role as Ava is interesting on many levels from when she is hit by a car to when she helps shave Hughes.

Ultimately Scorsese brings the great cast together in front of the camera and he does a truly wonderful job as all parts of filmmaking come together to a fantastic cinematic experience.  The cinematography is creative in many ways as it plays with colors, camera movement, and zoom.  The mise-en-scene is absolutely magnificent and good examples are the scenes at the Coconut Grove where the music also is tied into the film in an authentic and playful manner.  The script for the story brings the audience dialogues that feel authentic with moments of humor and cleverness that appear in a timely manner.  In the end, a truly heartbreaking, yet passionate tale of the importance of not being normal while taking risks is told through the life of Howard Hughes.

DIRECTED BY

COUNTRY

USA

Filmography links and data courtesy of