“The Aviator,” directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is a biographical film that tells the story of the eccentric billionaire, Howard Hughes. The film follows Hughes’ rise to fame as a successful entrepreneur in the aviation industry, as well as his struggles with mental illness and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
But how accurate is “The Aviator” in depicting the real-life events and people surrounding Howard Hughes? In this full review, we will examine the accuracy of the film and compare it to historical facts.
1. The portrayal of Howard Hughes
The film portrays Hughes as a driven and ambitious businessman who revolutionized the aviation industry with his innovative designs. DiCaprio’s performance as Hughes is captivating and brings the character to life on screen. While some aspects of Hughes’ personality and behavior are exaggerated for dramatic effect, overall, the film provides a fairly accurate portrayal of the billionaire.
2. Hughes’ struggles with mental illness
One of the central themes of the film is Hughes’ battle with mental illness, particularly his obsessive-compulsive disorder. The film depicts Hughes’ struggles with cleanliness and his obsessive rituals, such as his repeated handwashing and the use of tissue boxes on his feet to protect them from germs. While some of these details may have been embellished for dramatic effect, the film does a good job of capturing the debilitating effects of mental illness on Hughes’ life.
3. The portrayal of historical events
“The Aviator” also covers key moments in Hughes’ life, such as his battles with politicians and rival businessmen, as well as his love affairs with Hollywood starlets like Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. While some events may have been condensed or altered for the sake of storytelling, the film stays fairly true to the historical record.
4. Accuracy of the aviation scenes
One of the highlights of the film is its stunning recreation of Hughes’ aviation achievements, including his record-breaking flights and the development of the Spruce Goose, a massive wooden aircraft. The aviation scenes are meticulously crafted and provide an accurate depiction of Hughes’ passion for flying and his innovative contributions to Aviator the aviation industry.
5. Criticism of the film
Despite its many strengths, “The Aviator” has faced criticism for its selective portrayal of Hughes’ life and for glossing over some of the darker aspects of his personality, such as his often misogynistic behavior and his exploitative treatment of his employees. Additionally, some critics have argued that the film focuses too heavily on Hughes’ mental illness and fails to provide a more nuanced and balanced view of the man behind the myth.
In conclusion, while “The Aviator” may take some liberties with the historical record and may exaggerate certain aspects of Hughes’ life for dramatic effect, overall, the film provides a fairly accurate and compelling portrayal of the billionaire and his struggles with mental illness. DiCaprio’s performance as Hughes is one of the film’s greatest strengths, and the aviation scenes are a visual treat for viewers. Despite its flaws, “The Aviator” remains a solid biographical film that sheds light on the extraordinary life of Howard Hughes.
