Adam Scott, Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin

A biographical chronicle which charts the early years of famous tycoon, Howard Hughes (1905-1976), whose eclectic career spanned across everything from oil, for which he cared little, to film, casinos...( read more  read more... ), and aviation--as he turned millions of dollars into billions.

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73% liked it

173,669 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

204 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 35 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: December 17, 2004

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DVD Release Date: May 24, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (8,076)


  • November 13, 2009
    I usually avoid biopics like the plague, but the actors involved in The Aviator and the time period that it spans made me give it a shot, anyway. Did it change my opinion about these kinds movies in general? No, but at least I can add The Aviator to the short list of biopics that...( read more) I didn't hate.

    I don't know much about Howard Hughes, so I can't comment on how authentic the movie was. It managed to be entertaining for the three hours that it lasted, and that's what mattered to me most. Howard had an important, colorful, and occasionally tragic life, and it's a tribute to Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese that they could communicate that story without resorting to the sappiness and melodrama that I've come to respect from this genre.

    The best parts of the film were those that dealt with the Hollywood aspect of Howard's life. Kate Beckinsale was a good Ava Gardner, and Cate Blanchett was a phenomenal Katherine Hepburn. She deserved every bit of the praise, nominations, and awards that she received for that role. I'm a sucker for anything that deals with the Golden Age of Hollywood, and those parts of The Aviator made the entire movie worthwhile, for me.
  • September 14, 2009
    First things first, Leonardo DiCaprio turns in some of the greatest acting of his career. The problem is, even if he's (almost) old enough for the role, he doesn't look it, so his Howard Hughes can only be so convincing.

    It's not too hard to get past Leo, though, and the suppo...( read more)rting cast is excellent: Cate Blanchett got her Oscar here for playing Katherine Hepburn quite well, and Alan "the voice" Alda was nominated for his turn as the senator, though he didn't wow me... I'd bet his was an unofficial "lifetime achievement" award. Alec Baldwin, Ian Holm, Kate Beckinsale, and some fun cameos too... great cast on the whole, everyone was strong.

    The colours and the shots are great, and the increasing paranoia and obsessive-compulsive traits of the protagonist are very well rendered by Scorsese: by times this film will remind you of Raging Bull and Goodfellas, but more often than not this film shows you the side of Scorsese that was drawn to remaking Cape Fear.

    As with his thriller, this isn't Scorsese's best work. It's epic in scale, but it's a little too biopic-y. I can't say that I blame the man, this film had everyone and their brother(s) behind it to finally win the Academy over, and by time you could sense that he was putting on the standard dog-and-pony show.

    What does shine in the Aviator is the acting. What doesn't is the CGI, which just looks totally out of place in a Scorsese film. Kudos to him for trying something different, but frankly, it just wasn't a dark enough story, and it came out a little tedious over the 2h45m runtime. Still a better movie than most, but not a better movie than most of Scorsese's.
  • September 7, 2009
    There are two reasons why this isn't such a great film. First, DiCaprio is unconvincing as Howard Hughes. Second, Scorsese seems to have got lazy, the film is riddled with poor dialogue and dodgy special effects. The rest of the cast do a fantastic job and some of the set pieces ...( read more)are amazing, it's just no where near the usual Scorsese standard.
  • April 19, 2009
    Scorsese puts his expert storytelling skills to good use, in yet another lengthy film that seems much shorter. DiCaprio manages to capture all the levels of Howard Hughes and OCD. Starting with subtle nuances and soon spiraling further and further out of control, by trying to rem...( read more)ain in control. It's also a wonderful tale of a man that really goes after his goals no matter how absurd they seem to the others/everyone around him. Nice to see some, pretty much, walk on roles for Stefani and Law as well as meatier supporting roles for Baldwin, Reilley and Huston. I was also pleased that it avoided the later troubles in Hughes' life, thus avoiding needless complications that would have harmed the film. The cinematography is simply gorgeous, replicating the techniques of the individual years. A sad, uplifting and inspiring film.
  • January 31, 2009
    Leo did a brilliant job as Howard Hughes, who was a larger than life character. Howard was obssessed with aviation and making movies. The movie really highlights his OCD and his relationships. My fave scene is the flying scene with Cate.
  • November 13, 2009
    I agree with some of the comments that have been said about The Aviator: it won't take much time to stop being remembered among Scorsese's best films. He is still applying his characteristic signature in his direction style; the editing and photography have still some brief secon...( read more)ds of talent, but false elegance is not the best way of pretending talent. Fun film.

    65/100
  • November 8, 2009
    Leonardo DiCaprio is amazing as Howard Hughes.
  • November 4, 2009
    one of the best biopic i've ever seen, flawless film.,
    it really deserved it's oscars, especially for cinematography and for cate blanchett..
  • November 3, 2009
    NO me gusto. Es aburrida y enfermiza. Punto.
  • November 2, 2009
    Leonardo DiCaprio est excellent. Le film est bon, mais beaucoup trop long.

Critic Reviews


March 18, 2005
Kurt Loder, MTV

Another of [Scorsese's] masterpieces, crowded with superb performances. It may be two and a half hours long, but it comes at you like a B-52 bomber, and it flies by. full review

December 24, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

While we leave the film without much more of an understanding of Hughes' legendary obsessions than we did upon entering, we nonetheless leave with a sense of having been glamorously, thoroughly entert... full review

December 24, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

What a sad man. What brief glory. What an enthralling film, 166 minutes, and it races past. full review

December 20, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

Few biopics with this kind of crazy scope have ever been so seamless. full review

December 18, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

It's stylish and fleet, and even though it's meticulously detailed, Scorsese's devotion to technique never weighs it down. full review

December 17, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

As Hughes, DiCaprio is nimble and appealing. full review

December 17, 2004
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Scorsese's mournful celebration of Hughes's life from the 1920s to the late 1940s could be called Citizen Pain. full review

December 16, 2004
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Martin Scorsese has recreated a glorious, Technicolor time. Oscar, Oscar. full review

December 15, 2004
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

Amongst contemporary American filmmakers, it can only be said perhaps of Martin Scorsese alone that a good movie from him is a disappointment. full review

December 15, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A big, juicy, gorgeous, high-flying epic. full review

View more The Aviator reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • quoththeravennevermore
    July 26, 2008
    I watched this film for the second time, and I forgot how brilliant this cast was. I love films about old Hollywood, and this one was majestic. I don't normally find Scorcese films quite so engaging as I do this one. It's magnificent.
  • tonyaboucher
    February 14, 2008
    The Aviator Rocks! I love this movie. Howard Hughes is a mystery to me and I love it. I can relate to him and his corky way. Call it what you want..he was a brilliant man.
    I love the way he stares at the plane and studies it.
    Leonardo Dicaprio sure brings this to life. His eyes here in the cover send shivers down my spine. I am seeing a connection.. Good acting and probably the most accurate of any of the recent bio's done of Howard. It's a shame what happened to the man. He was a good man overall...crazy..nah...his mind wouldn't stop. I can only imagine what that would be like. Poor thing.
  • 3GwEnStEfAnIrOx3
    January 19, 2008
    gwen stefani is the best evah she rock the world im her no 1 fan 4 lyf!!!!!!!!!!!
  • QueenNacho
    July 25, 2007
    I love Leonardo Dicaprio!!! He is so amazing and such a sweetheart! I don't think i've ever seen a movie of his that i didn't like. He was incredible in this movie.
  • rachzilla
    May 28, 2007
    LOL at so many of the photos for this movie beginning with Gwen Stefani, who had one of the smallest bits of the film... (don't get me wrong though, I'm not complaining - I love the bitch).
  • bluejeannes2
    March 14, 2007
    one of the best actors of our time!
  • fatimamerheb
    March 6, 2007
    leonardo docaprio will always be my love he is a very sweet and nice person i adore him very much. he is a very handsome young man.
  • blosom22
    September 11, 2006
    omg!! this movie was the best i love leonardo dicaprio he is so so so so so so so so so hot!!!

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The Aviator Trivia


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