The Aviator (DVD review)

The Aviator (2004) starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Length: 2 hours 50 minutes. "The Aviator" was nominated for a best-picture Oscar, and Blanchett won Supporting Actress for her turn as Kate Hepburn. Nevertheless, this is a so-so biographical picture about famed billionaire recluse Howard Hughes. DiCaprio, in the title role, doesn't convincingly age over the 20-some years covered by the movie. His portrayal of Hughes's early symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder is a little over-the-top. There are some enjoyable cinematic moments, mostly of airplanes being built or in flight. But overall it's three hours spent in a questionable cause. Grade: B