tamaranth | Film review: The Aviator

Last night we watched The Aviator.

It's too long.

But it's good, in parts.

Though it's too long, the very length brings out the contrast between young (but obsessed) Hughes, choreographing America's largest private airforce, and older (but bonkers) Hughes, locked in a room watching his own films over and over. Obsessively.

Di Caprio still strikes me as wooden in places, but he did convey both the passion and the madness compellingly. The film portrays Hughes, especially in his youth, as a kind of proto-geek. There's a scene where the head of Pan Am is horrified to hear that Hughes has bought up a controlling interest in Pan Am. "But he's been flying around the world!" "He did it while he was flying, over the radio." I was reminded of some of you ...

Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn is gripping, and has more life in her little finger than di Caprio's Hughes. You'd never recognise her as Galadriel: she's so very animated. I guess this is that 'acting' thing I've heard about.

The flying scenes -- in particular the perilous filming of dogfights for Hell's Angels, and (much later) the first flight of the ~~Spruce Goose~~ Hercules (which I've seen, in LA) -- are splendid: they're the main reason why I went. (Sorry,

ladymoonray!)

But it's also worth seeing, if you have three hours (too long, did I mention?) for the joy of cameo-spotting. As I have no memory for faces, I was actually rather annoyed by the constant 'I know him / her from somewhere': but have been redeeming those moments this morning, with the help of IMDB. (I avoid reviews before I've seen a film, so wasn't aware of much of the castlist.) I did recognise Alan Alda (splendid): and yes, that was Ian Holm ... and Willem Dafoe ... and Gwen Stefani ... and, ooh yes, Jude Law (rude but pretty) ... and Loudon Wainwright III.

And apparently Martin Scorsese (director) played the voice-only part of Hughes' projectionist. Well, maybe they ran out of money ...

Conclusion: too long. But well-constructed, better-edited than (say) Alexander, and there's some good acting.