It is an entertaining biographical drama based on the life of a brave, reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes.

The Aviator" follows the early life (1927 -1947) of Texas tycoon Howard Hughes, a complicated man who was known for many things- as a jet setting playboy, a brilliant genius who made significant developments in the airplane design and manufacturing. He was also known for his stubbornness, ambition and serious mental issues with obsessive compulsive behavior that eventually turned him into a germ phobic neurotic.

The movie opens with the scene of young and nude Howard, being bathed by his mother who warns him about the germs, sickness and diseases that plague the planet earth. These warnings had an everlasting impression on little Howard who would later became phobic about germs and a compulsive behavior of washing hands over and over to avoid contamination. As a young boy at the age of 18 Howard lost his father who left him with a great fortune that he made in Huston oil business.

As a handsome and flamboyant young man at age of 22, Howard was a big player in aviation industry and Hollywood. In 1920s he directed and produced World War I epic "Hell's Angels" with great perfection and success. This made him attracted to the well known Hollywood actress Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and he had an affair with her. With his compulsive behavior he also had affairs with glamorous Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale) and beautiful teenager Faith Domergue (Kelli Garner) whom he was grooming for stardom. Thus he got established as a seducer and a big reckless spender.

In spite of all his love affairs with these beautiful women, aviation was his true love. Howard kept making different kinds of airplanes and flying turned out to be his great hobby. He became a great industrialist and one of the richest man in the world, eventually turning TWA into an international airline which set records for time and speed in the field of aviation. As he got older, Howard went crazy with germ phobia which ultimately contributed to his descent into reclusive insanity.

Dazzling and gifted director, Marin Scorsese, meticulously narrates the story of Howard Hughes' life. He has covered the good as well as the bad side of Hughes' life with discipline and precision. It is a brilliantly entertaining story of a Great American pioneer in the aviation industry. The director transforms the life story into a great movie.

DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, presents a performance with great drive and high intensity for which Hughes was known. He gives an Academy Award caliber performance of this billionaire capitalist, crazy seducer and world class neurotic. He is truly fabulous in his role. Cate Blanchett plays the role of Katharine Hepburn deliciously. Kate Beckinsale is excellent as the glamorous Ava Gardner. Alan Alda and Jude Law are superb. Rest of the cast are also good.

This is one of the best movies of the year 2004. It could be strong candidate for the Oscar's Best Picture as well as many other top categories

We rate this movie Very Good.