The Aviator film review

Review

Cast & crew

The Aviator

(2004)

If The Aviator lacks the punch of Martin Scorsese's earlier biopic Raging Bull, it's perhaps because Howard Hughes presents him with too much raw material. A millionaire at 18 (he inherited the Hughes Tool Company from his father), Hughes went on to become an aircraft designer and movie mogul, set air-speed records, date Hollywood's top stars and create Jane Russell's push-up bra in The Outlaw. Hughes's childhood is dismissed in a brief prologue that sets up his obsession with cleanliness, then it's straight on to the beginning of his Hollywood career. The film may not always be sure if its protagonist should be regarded as hero or villain, but Leonardo DiCaprio brings an impressive intensity to the role of Hughes that makes this superbly crafted biopic an utterly compelling experience. Cate Blanchett is a treat as a rather Emma Thompson-like Katharine Hepburn (and won an Oscar for her performance), but Kate Beckinsale pales in comparison as Ava Gardner. BP

Tell us what you think
Email us at rtfilmcomments@bbc.co.uk to tell us what you think of this film. Your comments may appear in Radio Times magazine.

Running time

163min

Country of origin

US / Ger

Genre

Biographical Drama

Original language

English

Screenplay

John Logan

Theatrical distributor

Buena Vista

UK cinema certificate

12A

UK cinema release date

December 2004




awards information


	Award	Category	Name	Nominee/Winner

	Academy 2004	Actor in a Leading Role	Leonardo DiCaprio	Nominee
	Academy 2004	Actor in a Supporting Role	Alan Alda	Nominee
	Academy 2004	Actress in a Supporting Role	Cate Blanchett	Winner
	Academy 2004	Best Picture		Nominee
	Academy 2004	Directing	Martin Scorsese	Nominee
	Academy 2004	Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)	John Logan	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2004	Best Film		Winner
	British Academy Film Awards 2004	Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role	Leonardo DiCaprio	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2004	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role	Alan Alda	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2004	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role	Cate Blanchett	Winner
	British Academy Film Awards 2004	Best Screenplay (Original)	John Logan	Nominee
	British Academy Film Awards 2004	The David Lean Award for the Best Achievement in Direction	Martin Scorsese	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2004	Best Director Motion Picture	Martin Scorsese	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2004	Best Motion Picture Drama		Winner
	Golden Globe 2004	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama	Leonardo DiCaprio	Winner
	Golden Globe 2004	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Motion Picture	Cate Blanchett	Nominee
	Golden Globe 2004	Best Screenplay Motion Picture	John Logan	Nominee