Rules Don't Apply - directed by Warren Beatty
One of the best things about films about Howard Hughes is that by default you get a movie about filmmaking as a bonus.
Hughes was as well known as a filmmaker as he was a businessman or an aviator.
I have always been fascinated with Hughes so of course writer-director Warren Beatty's "Rules Don't Apply" which is about the famous billionaire and those around him is a must see.
This film performed poorly with a dismal $3,700,000 for all of its US domestic run.
Still- a quick scan of the people involved show that this is worth a look.
Beginning in 1964 before shooting back to 1958 the film initially focuses on young Frank Forbes (Alden Ehrenreich) who is a driver working for Hughes.
Frank is charged with driving a young starlet around town for interviews and the like.
He is not alone- there is a host of such drivers each with a matching young lady to chaffeur.
All are told that they must keep their hands to themselves or they will be fired.
Tricky given the obvious instant attraction that Frank feels for Marla - his passenger.
Marla is played by Lily Collins - a young woman reminiscent of "The Rocketeer" era Jennifer Connelly.
So very, very appealing then.
Both complain that they are yet to meet Hughes and both are desperate to but for different reasons.
Frank has a business proposition for him, Marla wants to advance her career as fast as possible.
The anticipation extends to the audience too and there is no doubt that Beatty the director is teasing the appearance of Beatty the actor playing Hughes.
When he arrives he doesn't disappoint.
This is Hughes just as the mental illness that would plague his later life was kicking in.
There have been many films and tv shows dedicated to the man and the issues with the best remaining Scorsese's "The Aviator".
This film is considerably lighter in tone and the illness is utilised more for comic effect than for the tragedy of a great mind going south.
There is still much respect for the man and I like Beatty's work as actor and writer in this regard.
Alden Ehrenreich who has just finished shooting the Han Solo movie shows yet again that he is something of a universal leading man.
It doesn't seem to matter which leading lady he is placed against - he generates considerable chemistry.
He and Collins are very, very good together.
Again the tone is light and fluffy with some good old fashioned Hollywood moments such as a terrific scene in which Collins sings the song that gives the film its title.
Interestingly that title refers not only to the couple at the centre of the blossoming romance but to Hughes himself.
It is sweet stuff even though there is a strong undertone of religious puritism and Hollywood corrupting it.
Again this is all in the service of humour and it really works.
I liked this film a lot.
The only really negative thing that I can say about it is that there just isn't enough space for the stellar cast to get much of a look in.
Broderick is best served after the three leads Collins, Ehrenreich and Beatty and he gets a bunch of good scenes as he slowly slips in his resolve not to 'screw with the crew'.
The scene in which his last semblance of patience with Hughes dissolves is great.
Ed Harris and real life wife Amy Madigan get one brief scene and Annette Bening, Oliver Platt and Alec Baldwin fare only a little better.
I was also upset that Haley Bennett didn't get more screen time but that is my own personal bias in effect!
But there is a lot to get through here with plenty of historical stuff for the Hughes fan.
We get the XF-11, Hercules (Spruce Goose), Senate Hearings and a whole heap of other stuff too.
A long take in which Hughes and Frank stroll down a dock chatting before they sit to eat burgers ends with a fantastic payoff shot that will delight Hughes fans (at least it did me)
It's a tough thing to make a funny film about a tragic historical figure and not only make the comedy work but retain the dignity of the character.
Beatty has done really well here and while this isn't up to the standard of some of his other films - notably "Bulworth" and "Bugsy" there is plenty to entertain.
Caleb Deschanel does typically excellent work behind the camera and the period songs in lieu of a score work really well.
This film deserved to do much, much better than it did.
I can only hope that it gets a second chance of Netflix, Blu-ray and tv showings.
RATING: 82 / 100
CONCLUSION: A great bit of work from Beatty in all three of his roles - actor, director and writer. Gonzo work from Ehrenreich and the lovely Collins with superb support from a great cast of actors. Funny, delightful stuff that has much to say about the way Hollywood used to be and by definition how it is now.
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Broderick, Warren Beatty, Candice Bergen Lily Collins, Martin Sheen, Paul Sorvino, Peter MacKenzie, Amy Madigan, Hart Bochner, Annette Bening, Haley Bennett, Paul Schneider, Ed Harris, Eileen Ryan, Taissa Farmiga, Oliver Platt, Alec Baldwin, Dabney Coleman, Steve Coogan
Screenplay: Warren Beatty
Music Score by: N/A
Cinematography: Caleb Deschanel
Edited by: Robin Gonsalves, Leslie Jones, Brian Scofield & Billy Weber
Running Time: 127 minutes
Language: English
Rated: M - Sexual References
Running Time: 127 minutes
Language: English
Rated: M - Sexual References
One of the best things about films about Howard Hughes is that by default you get a movie about filmmaking as a bonus.
Hughes was as well known as a filmmaker as he was a businessman or an aviator.
I have always been fascinated with Hughes so of course writer-director Warren Beatty's "Rules Don't Apply" which is about the famous billionaire and those around him is a must see.
This film performed poorly with a dismal $3,700,000 for all of its US domestic run.
Still- a quick scan of the people involved show that this is worth a look.
 |
| Alden Ehrenreich and Warren Beatty |
Frank is charged with driving a young starlet around town for interviews and the like.
He is not alone- there is a host of such drivers each with a matching young lady to chaffeur.
All are told that they must keep their hands to themselves or they will be fired.
Tricky given the obvious instant attraction that Frank feels for Marla - his passenger.
Marla is played by Lily Collins - a young woman reminiscent of "The Rocketeer" era Jennifer Connelly.
So very, very appealing then.
Both complain that they are yet to meet Hughes and both are desperate to but for different reasons.
Frank has a business proposition for him, Marla wants to advance her career as fast as possible.
 |
| Lily Collins and Annette Bening as the puritanical Marla Mabry and her Mother |
When he arrives he doesn't disappoint.
This is Hughes just as the mental illness that would plague his later life was kicking in.
There have been many films and tv shows dedicated to the man and the issues with the best remaining Scorsese's "The Aviator".
This film is considerably lighter in tone and the illness is utilised more for comic effect than for the tragedy of a great mind going south.
There is still much respect for the man and I like Beatty's work as actor and writer in this regard.
Alden Ehrenreich who has just finished shooting the Han Solo movie shows yet again that he is something of a universal leading man.
It doesn't seem to matter which leading lady he is placed against - he generates considerable chemistry.
He and Collins are very, very good together.
Again the tone is light and fluffy with some good old fashioned Hollywood moments such as a terrific scene in which Collins sings the song that gives the film its title.
Interestingly that title refers not only to the couple at the centre of the blossoming romance but to Hughes himself.
It is sweet stuff even though there is a strong undertone of religious puritism and Hollywood corrupting it.
Again this is all in the service of humour and it really works.
 |
| Rules Don't Apply is a mish-mash of a movie- part biopic, part rom-com and part Hollywood satire.. but it works |
The only really negative thing that I can say about it is that there just isn't enough space for the stellar cast to get much of a look in.
Broderick is best served after the three leads Collins, Ehrenreich and Beatty and he gets a bunch of good scenes as he slowly slips in his resolve not to 'screw with the crew'.
The scene in which his last semblance of patience with Hughes dissolves is great.
Ed Harris and real life wife Amy Madigan get one brief scene and Annette Bening, Oliver Platt and Alec Baldwin fare only a little better.
I was also upset that Haley Bennett didn't get more screen time but that is my own personal bias in effect!
But there is a lot to get through here with plenty of historical stuff for the Hughes fan.
We get the XF-11, Hercules (Spruce Goose), Senate Hearings and a whole heap of other stuff too.
A long take in which Hughes and Frank stroll down a dock chatting before they sit to eat burgers ends with a fantastic payoff shot that will delight Hughes fans (at least it did me)
It's a tough thing to make a funny film about a tragic historical figure and not only make the comedy work but retain the dignity of the character.
Beatty has done really well here and while this isn't up to the standard of some of his other films - notably "Bulworth" and "Bugsy" there is plenty to entertain.
Caleb Deschanel does typically excellent work behind the camera and the period songs in lieu of a score work really well.
This film deserved to do much, much better than it did.
I can only hope that it gets a second chance of Netflix, Blu-ray and tv showings.
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