The Aviator

This film should be called Howard Hughes, and the subtitle could be "DiCaprio Flying to the Stars". It'd be easy to say that Scorsese has lost his grip for once, especially the in second part, when the story gets out of hand, but anyone who lets the whole film sink into their head and understands the concept should admit that it could hardly have been made better. For us here overseas, The Aviator will have a hard time, a viewer who has never heard of Hughes can expect anything from it based on the premise or even the poster, but in the end they will probably get something completely different. It's a spectacular narrative built entirely on the complex and idiosyncratic character of the aviation mogul, or rather, on the excellent performance of Leo DiCaprio, which in my opinion was the starting point of his tremendous acting form that continues uninterrupted to this day. Hughes's personality and fascinating life are explored so thoroughly and interestingly in the space of 160 minutes that you simply can't take your eyes off the screen in order to see how it all plays out. And it wouldn't be Scorsese if he didn't come up with a hugely impressive and academically appealing production design and invite a whole host of stars to play the supporting roles; they do an excellent job and complement Leo, who barely leaves the screen (besides the Oscar-winning Blancett, it's worth mentioning Senator Alda, the master of supporting roles Reilly and the beautiful Beckinsale). For the uninitiated, it's a more challenging spectacle and I can't say I outright enjoyed it, but it's still a film with capital F, the likes of which only a few top directors can make (and have made) :) 80% (29/06/2013)

The pilot is not bad at all, but after two screenings in one year, I can't imagine trying to go through it all again even fifteen years later. DiCaprio is great, but surprisingly, Scorsese can't maintain a good momentum, he gets lost in Hughes' psychoses, and the story that goes to flowers is only fixed in the thrilling courtroom finale. (15/09/2005)

A stunning cinematic work by a true artist, both in image and acting. I wasn't bored even for a minute, the runtime was okay, I actually wouldn't have minded a bit more. And the emotional impact on me was all the greater because I have dealt with obsessive compulsive disorder in my life, so I know exactly what Scorsese was talking about, and that he didn't miss the mark is evidenced by the feelings of one of my friends, also OCD, who was shocked to find himself in the character of Howard Hughes. So, thank you Sir. (29/10/2005)

The Aviator is not Martin Scorsese’s best film and, in my opinion, it doesn't even belong among the best ones. It is beautifully shot, but that's about it. There are plenty of unforgettable scenes, shots, and dialogues, but the end result doesn't have such a strong impact, and there is no deeper emotional experience. Surprisingly, technically, the movie is quite uneven, and sometimes it seems like a farce or an overly theatrical costume drama. Sometimes, I even feel a sense of theater. It's an interesting retro film, but definitely not aiming for an Oscar. (10/02/2005)

If The Aviator is anything to go by, it's a perfect example of top Hollywood, the Hollywood that Hughes helped build in the 1920s with his bold visions. It's a precisely-fulfilled genre scheme that offers both a breathtaking spectacle and great dramatic filmmaking. You can't help but praise the famous camera, the well-incorporated tricks, and the perfect period music that gives everything style and atmosphere. The story of Howard Hughes is not only a personal drama, but also a spectacular and epic spectacle in which some scenes bolt you to your seat in a "Hollywood" manner and don't let you breathe (the superbly shot aerial sequences are really worth it). More importantly, each part serves a monumental whole, and the monumentality of the whole does not overshadow the personal and not-very-idealized personal plane. Hughes' personality is the centerpiece around which everything spectacularly turns, not the other way around. That's what I appreciate about Martin Scorsese. He didn't succumb to a big topic and tried to go under the surface. He did not idealize, but he tried to tell the story of one of the fascinating carriers of human imagination and the desire to fly (figuratively and literally) in all shades. From where I was sitting, it clearly seemed that he had succeeded. The Aviator is a truly wonderful specimen of a biographical major film in all its dazzling sheen. There's no room for misery this time... The few extra minutes the film has can be considered a hereditary disease. And Scorsese was able to richly balance Logan's weaker script with his precise direction. (11/02/2005)