Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood are as iconic as Alec Baldwin. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Baldwin has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s bold sales agents, powerful political leaders or strong FBI officers, Baldwin has portrayed several compelling characters. Arguably, Baldwin’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in small supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a film, Baldwin has always left a strong impression. An actor with a strong commitment to his craft, Baldwin has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to create characters that are compelling, Baldwin has created a commemorated legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his powerful career, Baldwin has made many memorable films that are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Baldwin and adore all movies which he has created in his career. However, “The Aviator” is my favourite. Released back in 2004, Martin Scorsese’s film offered a strong tribute towards a legendary aviator in history. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Alec Baldwin, who embodies a powerful plane inventor experiencing tension. Ultimately, what makes “The Aviator” a timeless classic is bold appeal. Unlike most movies about the lives of aviators, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing biopic about an aviator, there are countless reasons why “The Aviator” is a commemorated film that is worth seeing.
Set during the 1930’s, “The Aviator” tells a true story of an aviator that experiences adversity. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Howard Hughes, a famous filmmaker that strives to manufacture planes. Hughes has always had a passion for creating planes for aviation with a dedication. Assisted by his longtime business partner Juan Trippe (Alec Baldwin), Hughes seeks to create planes with a price to pay. However, Hughes’ life forever changes when he begins to endure symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. As his mental health begins to decline, Hughes starts to question if he can design any planes that shine. Faced with all the odds are stacked against his favour, Hughes questions whether it’s possible to be a successful aviator. Finding it challenging to pursue his passion for flying, Hughes questions whether his dream of being an aviator is worth pursuing.
Martin Scorsese is a newcomer toward stories of aviators. Before he directed “The Aviator”, Scorsese had never made a biopic before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of an aviator that faced adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Scorsese conveys an aviator embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Inspired with Tony Scott’s “Top Gun”, Scorsese effectively uses montages to capture the lives of aviators creating airplanes with dedication. For instance, montages enhance the airplane design scene. During this unforgettable scene, Howard Hughes seeks to create a plane with assistance from his co-workers which cause tension. Through strong montages, Scorsese honours the legacy of a legendary aviator in history. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. Roger Michell’s “Notting Hill” proved that montages enhance romantic comedies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Scorsese captures tensions that aviators with mental illness are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Aviator” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Scorsese successfully uses production design to capture the lives of aviators that decline. Scorsese expertly uses the backdrop of restrooms to capture tension individuals with OCD are facing. For instance, the location of bathrooms enhance the hand washing scene. During this memorable scene, Howard faces a nervous breakdown washing his hands out of obsession. Through restroom locations, Scorsese created a portrait of OCD that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Howard Shore’s commemorated score is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that individuals with OCD bear. Through strong production-design, Scorsese captures frightening mental illness causing the lives of individuals to face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Aviator” is a biopic about an aviator which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs non-linear storytelling to capture the life of an aviator that’s inspiring. The movie deftly switches back and forth among two distinct timelines: flashbacks of Howard Hughes’ glorious past as an aviator and present-day scenes of his struggles with OCD. Through this non-linear structure, Scorsese created a portrait of a commemorated aviator that audiences could easily relate to. For instance, non-linear storytelling enhances the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Howard Hughes recounts memories of his past as an aviator. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in most films. As Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums” proved, non-linear storytelling enhances dysfunctional family dramas. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Scorsese captures the lives of commemorated aviators facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Alec Baldwin delivers one of his finest career performances as Juan Trippe. Baldwin first earned appreciation for playing gangsters in crime dramas. With “The Aviator”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a renowned plane designer in history but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Baldwin has often excelled at portraying emotional characters enduring pressure, and “The Aviator” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and lifelong. trauma of a plane designer. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Alec Baldwin, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Leonardo DiCaprio is extraordinary, bringing sorrow to an aviator that designed planes several years ago. Cate Blanchett is captivating, capturing heartfelt emotion of a woman worried about her boyfriend’s declining mental state. Lastly, Danny Huston merits appreciation. As a plane manufacturer, he brings a sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “The Aviator” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing a life of a legendary aviator. Unlike most biopics, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses powerful themes including identity, mental health and trauma that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of Howard Hughes to appreciate it. The film delivers a bold message about mental illness that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Aviator” is one of those rare biographies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Alec Baldwin will definitely appreciate “The Aviator” and so would movie-goers that seek enjoyable entertainment. A breathtaking biopic, it honours an actor that has created a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about an aviator that designed planes which changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies audiences commonly treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 