Aviator made me go "huh?"

Question

I just saw The Aviator. Huh. I was particularly perplexed as "Kate" (Hollywood) whines to "Howahd" (The Rest of the Planet) that "we famous types can't find any privacy why don't they leave us alone"?. This is followed with lengthy scenes depicting the most embarrassing, private, demeaning moments of this poor (!) man's life, put up there on the silvah screen for all the world to see.
Anyone else bothered by the irony there?
Bruce Goose

Usenet · Accepted Answer

I didn't find the motivation to see "The Aviator." I mean, why should I care about Howard Hughes? What did he do that would make it worth giving his life story two hours of my time? If there was something, the trailers didn't do a good job spelling that out for me.

I could see giving four hours of my life to "Ray" (saw it twice). I love Ray Charles' oeuvre. I loved seeing musical genius reenacted. It was edifying to watch a story about a man overcoming loneliness, prejudice and disability.
Same difference with "What's Love Got to Do With It."

But Howard Hughes? Maybe I could see it if he was portrayed by a more compelling actor. But Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't do much for me.

Lois

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I didn't find the motivation to see "The Aviator." I mean, why should I care about Howard Hughes? What did ... hours of my time? If there was something, the trailers didn't do a good job spelling that out for me.[/nq]
Not defending the movie the "Aviator," but I think Howard Hughes was pretty heavily involved in developing comfortable passenger planes for one. His life is interesting. He was an innovator and, it appears that he accomplished many things by force of will and while hampered by a neurological disorder (can't remember the name, OCD?) or maybe spurred on to overcome it. But you're right in avoiding this movie, I think.
[nq:1]I could see giving four hours of my life to "Ray" (saw it twice). I love Ray Charles' oeuvre. I loved seeing musical genius reenacted. It was edifying to watch a story about a man overcoming loneliness, prejudice and disability.[/nq]
Besides, his music was good. But there was some of all these elements in "Aviator." Howard Hughes was the Houston boy jumping into the movie business, where he really didn't fit (except by force of money maybe he did fit). And he had a disability.
[nq:1]Same difference with "What's Love Got to Do With It."[/nq]
Haven't seen it. Can't even place it, right now.
[nq:1]But Howard Hughes? Maybe I could see it if he was portrayed by a more compelling actor. But Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't do much for me.[/nq]
I completely, absolutely, totally agree about DiCaprio. I think he has some talent, but he sure doesn't seem "big" enough for this part. And the movie needs a much more focused plot in my opinion anyhow it just seemed to be a series of events. (Although NMS did point out the theme to me.)

RonB
"There's a story there...somewhere"

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]But Howard Hughes? Maybe I could see it if he was portrayed by a more compelling actor. But Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't do much for me.[/nq]
I don't think it's an acting problem so much as a story problem. You can make a compelling movie about all sorts of unsavory people - film don't have to be about overcoming lonliness or prejudice or disability.

I mean, we don't really have to look any further than Scorsese's earlier work, like "Raging Bull" - to find a truly compelling film about a fairly despicable person. "The Beat My Heart Skipped" is a (completely fictional) film about a horrid guy.
But these films work when they make you feel about the character the same way the character feels about himself. And after watching "The Aviator," can you tell me what Howard Hughes felt about himself?

I can't.

Aviator made me go "huh?"

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