January 04, 2005

The Aviator
Martin Scorsese, 2004

7.0
i wanted to love this film. i love Martin Scorsese. i really do. and he's the reason i wanted to see the film in theaters. but it didn't really do anything for me. maybe it's because i haven't immersed myself in the Hughes/old Hollywood era. i know actors and the big players but that's it. so, because of that, the film felt like a checklist of events rather than an emotional journey. i was so out of it. i knew what was coming so i could brace myself for what was coming (here's where he'll go mad, here's where he's a genius, here's where's he going up against the man, etc). it felt dry. but, like i said, it's probably because i was on the outside looking in. but. that being said. there are a few great scenes and performances, starting with Leonardo. i've always been a Leo fan. people seem fazed by his Teen Beat-type coverage but i've always loved him as an actor. and he does a fantastic job making us forget Leo DiCaprio. he really does. then there's Cate Blanchett. wow. although it means close to nothing, i really hope she at least gets a nod for her work in this with the Oscars. i've only seen Hepburn in a couple of movies so i can't completely judge her portrayal that way, but as a full-bodied character she does a superb job. she was charming, breezy, and heartbreaking. and she can do it on a dime too. i was impressed. Scorsese never does a bad film, and this ain't one either. although a bit on the slow side for me it features some outstanding, gut-wrenching and stunning scenes. glad i saw it in a theater but i won't be revisiting it anytime soon.

Posted by Anonymous | 6:57 PM |