History Film / TheAviator

--> Howard: '''Hey Odie! Take it easy!" (after telling him to fire a janitor [[FelonyMisdemeanor because he was staring at him]])

* BuxomIsBetter: This is Howard's argument to the [[UsefulNotes/TheHaysCode MPAA]] when they object to the prevalence of "mammaries" in his film ''The Outlaw''.

''The Aviator'' is a 2004 biopic about Howard Hughes, a 20th century industrialist, film producer/director... and, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aviator]]. Creator/MartinScorsese directed it, and Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio stars as the titular character; the film also features Creator/CateBlanchett (in her UsefulNotes/AcademyAward winning role), Kate Beckinsale, and [[AllStarCast a bunch of really famous people]] playing other famous people.

* SmugSnake: By the time Senator Brewster is deliberately arranging a hotel room to set off Hughes' OCD, you'll hate him just as much as Hughes.

''The Aviator'' is a 2004 biopic about Howard Hughes, a 20th century industrialist, film producer/director... and, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aviator]]. Creator/MartinScorsese directed it, and Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio stars as the titular character; the film also features Creator/CateBlanchett (in her AcademyAward winning role), Kate Beckinsale, and [[AllStarCast a bunch of really famous people]] playing other famous people.

* TheProfessor: Howard ''thinks'' Professor Fritz should be like this, introducing him as a "mathematician" and expecting him to be able to improvise some legitimate-sounding BS despite being a ''meteorologist''.

** Also, just when it seems like Hughes has gotten over his mental issues at the end of the film, he sees a pair of men in germ-resistant suits [[DownerEnding that causes him to relapse]].

* OhCrap: This is Juan Trippe's reaction to the airline bill about to be defeated in the Senate and thus Pan Am's monopoly being finished, only instead of "Oh crap", he says, [[PrecisionFStrike "Fuck!"]]

* HopeSpot: After successfully standing up to Congress and getting the Hercules to fly, it seems like Hughes has finally overcome his mental instability. However, at the end of the film [[DownerEnding he relapses into his madness.]]

* PrettyInMink: Given all the old hollywood movie stars in this film, many mink coats and fox wraps are worn.

* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: This is pretty much Howard's approach to every endeavor. "I've got a tiger by the tail here and I'm not about to let go!" That or...
* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: ...as the only reason he's able to say "Screw the Money!" is because he has so damn much.

-->'''Hughs:''' I'm Howard Hughes... The aviator.

* TroubledButCute: Howard Hughes has severe OCD, a very poor sense of financial responsibility, is an utter control freak, and [[{{CelebrityParadox}} looks like Leonardo [=DiCaprio=]]].

* VerbalTic: "Show me all the blueprints." "Come in with the milk." "The way of the future."

* DawsonCasting: Gwen Stefani plays Creator/JeanHarlow, who was 19 at the time the film shows her (she never even lived to be 34, Gwen's age during filming).

* DyeingForYourArt: Kate Beckinsale gained a [[{{HollywoodPudgy}} whopping 20 pounds]] to play Ava Gardner.

* FakeNationality: Australian Creator/CateBlanchett as American Creator/KatharineHepburn, English Creator/JudeLaw as Tasmanian Creator/ErrolFlynn, English Creator/KateBeckinsale as American Creator/AvaGardner, English Creator/IanHolm as ambiguously Western European Professor Fritz...

* NamesTheSame[=/=]SimilarlyNamedWorks: This film has no connection with the 1985 Christopher Reeve film also titled ''The Aviator''.

* RomanceOnTheSet: This film depicts Creator/KatharineHepburn and Spencer Tracy hooking up on a movie set while she's still in a relationship with Howard; in reality, she and Howard had already broken up. See also RuleOfDrama.

* TheProfessor: Howard ''thinks'' Professor Fritz should be like this, introducting him as a "mathematician" and expecting him to be able to improvise some legitimate-sounding BS despite being a ''meteorologist''.

* DawsonCasting: Gwen Stefani plays JeanHarlow, who was 19 at the time the film shows her (she never even lived to be 34, Gwen's age during filming).

** Also a case of TruthInTelevision- the Senate scene was actually heavily based off of, sometimes word for word, the actual footage of Hughes during the hearing, who indeed did eventually start interrogating the senator.

The story documents the production of 1930's ''Film/HellsAngels'', Hughes's relationship with Creator/KatharineHepburn, and his ever-worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. It won five out of eleven Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress.

* GlamorousWartimeSinger: Martha Wainwright's brief appearance at the Coconut Grove. Rufus is also quite glamorous, but he ''technically'' doesn't sing during the war.
* GoldenAgeOfHollywood: This film takes place smack in the middle of it.

The story documents the production of 1930's ''[[Film/HellsAngels Hell's Angels]]'', Hughes's relationship with Creator/KatharineHepburn, and his ever-worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. It won five out of eleven Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress.

The story documents the production of 1930's ''Hell's Angels'', Hughes's relationship with Creator/KatharineHepburn, and his ever-worsening obsessive-compulsive disorder. It won five out of eleven Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress.

* PlayingGertrude: Leo, much to his detriment. Seriously, the guy was two years after playing a 16-year-old Frank Abagnale in Film/CatchMeIfYouCan to playing a late-thirties Howard Hughes. A case study in how make-up and good acting can only do so much.

* PrettyInMink

* PsychoticLover: Faith [[{{CarFu}} Domergue.]]

* DevelopmentHell: In-universe with the long, long production of ''Hell's Angels''.

* UsefulNotes/WorldWarII: Happens in the background somewhere.

''The Aviator'' is a 2004 biopic about Howard Hughes, a 20th century industrialist, film producer/director... and, well, [[{{ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin}} aviator]]. Creator/MartinScorsese directed it, and {{Creator/Leonardo DiCaprio}} stars as the titular character; the film also features CateBlanchett (in her AcademyAward winning role), Kate Beckinsale, and [[{{AllStarCast}} a bunch of really famous people]] playing other famous people.

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!This film contains examples of:

* AmericanAccents: LeonardoDiCaprio uses a Texas accent while CateBlanchett does Creator/KatharineHepburn's iconic New England or [[{{OneGenderSchool}} "Bryn Mawr"]] accent. Kate Beckinsale also puts on a generic American accent.

* BuxomIsBetter: This is Howard's argument to the [[{{HaysCode}} MPAA]] when they object to the prevalence of "mammaries" in his film ''The Outlaw''.

* WorldWarII: Happens in the background somewhere.

* FakeNationality: Australian CateBlanchett as American Creator/KatharineHepburn, English JudeLaw as Tasmanian ErrolFlynn, English KateBeckinsale as American AvaGardner, English IanHolm as ambiguously Western European Professor Fritz...

* TabloidMelodrama: Averted when Howard bribes a paparazzo not to publish photos of Creator/KatharineHepburn and the married SpencerTracy cavorting on a boat.

* TickertapeParade: After his around-the-world flight.