[mebenstein]

The Aviator covers the life of inventor and businessman Howard Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and was directed by Martin Scorsese. The magnificent screenplay by John Logan makes this film more of a character study than a normal biopic. The story covers Hughes’ life from his first attempts at film-making to his triumphant success in getting his H-4 Hercules plane, the largest aircraft in history until 2019, to fly. By focusing on his life’s essential achievements and challenges, this picture shows us what mindset and morality the protagonist lives by: reason, purpose, and self-esteem.

We are shown a character that revolutionizes the aviation industry from an engineering and business perspective while directing and producing influential movies and investing in various other projects. Many of his depicted endeavors led to controversies and show the viewer how Hughes’ independence and confidence triumph by the use of reason. 

Since this movie is based on a real person, it also shows some of his irrational sides, which later led to his downfall. But Logan knows that art is not a copy of reality and thus mostly focuses on the heroic side of Hughes and uses the negatives to make him shine after overcoming them.  

Martin Scorsese is the master of engaging long-form storytelling, which combined with the atmosphere of the late 1920s and the wonderful soundtrack by Howard Shore results in an ecstatic three-hour-long experience that I can recommend to anyone who likes to get inspired by heroes.

On a personal note: this movie has been my favorite since I first saw it four years ago, way before I knew about Ayn Rand. I think loving this movie made it much easier for me to connect to many of her ideas and values. 

/sb

[RichardRanville]

Re: Michael Ebenstein’s post 102753 of 5/31/21

The relationship between Pan Am, led by Juan Trippe, and the government was accurately portrayed in the movie. It was pretty easy for Pan Am to build a world-scale business with the patronage of the US Federal government. The bank I worked for owned $500,000 in Dade County Port Authority (Miami International) bonds and I handled the workout and so was involved in the bankruptcy and dissolution of Pan Am in 1990.

I once flew from Seattle to Fairbanks on a Boeing 720, the long-range, high-capacity version of the 707, and there were six of us on the plane. The co-pilot did a walk-around and stopped to chat, as they always did when they saw someone in uniform. I asked him about the empty plane. He laughed and said Pan Am wanted a Hawaii route and the government told them they had to fly the airplane to Fairbanks if they wanted the Hawaii route.

This is the kind of the thing Hughes was up against building his airline.

/sb

[Steven Katz]

Re: Michael Ebenstein’s post 102753 of 5/31/21

I see you already covered this movie. I agree.  It was something. 

*sb

[Author]

Posts