The Aviator is an epic film, justifying its amazing success at the movie industry awards, 3 Golden Globes, 4 Baftas and nominated for 11 Oscars! It encapsulates the glamour and extravagance of the great Hollywood era – whilst continuing in its tradition. It begins in the 1920s and charts the early life of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder sufferer, Howard Hughes.

Hughes (admirably played by Leonardo DiCaprio) was a film-maker, aviator, billionaire, womaniser and OCD-sufferer. Hughes’ attention to detail, intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit made for a larger than life character. These features enabled him to become incredibly wealthy, a record breaker, a successful film maker and a powerful individual.

The film manages to recreate the dazzling excesses of the Studio Era. Famous names and characters flash across the screen mimicking the ever repeated image of the flash light bulbs of the paparazzi.

DiCaprio has clearly researched the role carefully, The Aviator proves he is much more than a pretty faced starlet, as some labeled him after his most commercial role in Titanic. He demonstrated his professionalism when he attended a charity benefit in aid of OCD-UK in London during December last year, he and director Martin Scorsese had been fascinated by Howard Hughes's driving obsessions, and that he had worked particularly hard to understand OCD and portray it accurately. He said: "I hope I can do justice to the suffering that Hughes endured from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." Mr DiCaprio was coached in his role by OCD expert Dr Jeffrey Schwartz, who is a medical advisor to OCD-UK.

Hughes’ OCD is shown developing as the years go on; stressful situations triggering the attacks. The combined talents of the director (Martin Scorsese) and the actor (DiCaprio) provide an unflinching and truthful portrayal of mental illness and the effect on the human spirit. DiCaprio brilliantly uses facial expression to show the intense irritation and anger Hughes’ experienced when his routines were disturbed by others.

Howard Hughes’ symptoms included repeated hand washing and DiCaprio’s portrayal of this is excellent. He is able to show the frustration Hughes must have felt when, having successfully completed the hand washing ritual, he is faced with the challenge of how to open the door to leave the toilets. Seconds pass like hours as he goes over the options in his mind, how can the door be opened without re-contamination? At this moment Scorsese’s direction unites audience and character – as all consider this dilemma.

OCD-UK CEO, Ashley Fulwood talking after the charity benefit screening said: "Guests who suffer from this often debilitating condition said afterwards that his portrayal was absolutely amazing and extremely realistic, not just the actual physical compulsions, his facial expressions truly showed the anguish that affects OCD sufferers daily, it was almost like watching a film about myself.”

The film ends before Hughes’ sad decline into the reclusive eccentric that many people remember. It shows him at the height of his powers and brilliance but more than hints at the problems that lie beneath. The Aviator is an outstanding film which chronicles the life of a flawed but exceptional human being.

OCD-UK held a charity screening of the film on Saturday 18th December 2004 at the luxurious Soho Hotel in London's West End the day before the official UK Premiere of the film. The event was also sponsored by Percol, the specialist tea and coffee importers and attended by 100 guests which included OCD sufferers, OCD professionals including Dr Raj Persaud and film industry actors and directors including Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Invited guests were stunned when Mr Weinstein introduced the star of The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio who went on to talk about his work on the film and working with Dr Schwartz, DiCaprio expressed his hope that he had been able to accurately portray Obsessive-compulsive Disorder.

 

- Actress in a Supporting Role - Cate Blanchett
- Art Direction - Dante Ferretti; Francesca Lo Schiavo
- Costume Design - Sandy Powell
- Film Editing - Thelma Schoonmaker
- Cinematography - Robert Richardson

 

- Best Motion Picture
- Best Performance by an Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio
- Best Original Score - Howard Shore

 

- Best Film
- Actress in a Supporting Role - Cate Blanchett
- Production Design - Dante Ferretti
- Make Up & Hair - Morag Ross / Kathryn Blondell / Sian Grigg

 

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