It's Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey, under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes, arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes, who is engaged to be married to his seventh grade sweetheart and is a deeply religious Methodist. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test, but also defies Hughes' number one rule: No employee is allowed to have any relationship whatsoever with a contract actress. Hughes' behavior intersects with Marla and Frank in very separate and unexpected ways, and as they are drawn deeper into his bizarre world, their values are challenged and their lives are changed.
Warren Beatty
Howard Hughes
Lily Collins
Marla Mabrey
Alden Ehrenreich
Frank Forbes
Matthew Broderick
Levar Mathis
Annette Bening
Lucy Mabrey
Alec Baldwin
Bob Maheu
Haley Bennett
Mamie Murphy
Candice Bergen
Nadine Henly
Dabney Coleman
Raymond Holliday
Ed Harris
Mr. Bransford
Martin Sheen
Noah Dietrich
Paul Sorvino
Vernon Scott
Oliver Platt
Forester
Amy Madigan
Mrs. Bransford
Taissa Farmiga
Sarah Bransford
Michael Badalucco
Solly
Steve Coogan
Colonel Nigel Briggs
Megan Hilty
Sally
Paul Schneider
Richard Miskin
Chace Crawford
Young Actor
Eileen Ryan
Frank's Grandmother
Patrick Fischler
Director
Ron Perkins
Senator Ferguson
Peter MacKenzie
Gene Handsaker
Julio Oscar Mechoso
President Somoza
Hart Bochner
Colonel Willis
Ashley Hamilton
Rudolf
Caitlin Carver
Marla Lookalike
Evan O'Toole
Matt Mabrey
Holmes Osborne
Cappy
Steven Mnuchin
Merrill Lynch Executive
Ivar Brogger
T.V. Newsman #1
Steve Tom
TV Newsman #2
Dan Desmond
Gladwin Hill
Karl Florine
Air Traffic Controller
Madisyn Ritland
Bella
Louise Linton
Betty
Christine Marzano
Carrie
Graham Beckel
Wilbur
James Keane
Tom
Andrew M. Chukerman
Pianist
Michael Cavanaugh
Methodist Minister
Bruce Gray
Baptist Preacher
Josh Casaubon
Marvin
Marshall Bell
Colonel Maxwell
Kyle Bornheimer
Concerned Orderly
Nate Mooney
Orderly
Matt Griesser
Orderly
Lauri Johnson
Nurse
Geoff Pierson
Merrill Lynch Executive
Evan Londo
Ice Cream Kid
Michael Badalucco
Solly the Barber
David 'Goldy' Goldsmith
Chef
James Gleason
Doctor Crone
Alan Daniels
Hughes Staffer
Joe Cortese
Mobster
George Russo
Mobster
Joey Diaz
Mobster
James Martin Kelly
Mobster
Johnny Williams
Mobster
Luis Fernandez-Gil
Somoza's Aide
Joshua Malina
Herb (uncredited)
Billy Graham
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Robert E. Kerr
Hughes Staffer (uncredited)
Robert Ratinoff
Rolls Royce Chauffeur (uncredited)
Frank Scozzari
RKO Studio Executive (uncredited)
Director, Screenplay, Story
Warren Beatty
Story
Bo Goldman
June 26, 2017
5
**A film director, his actress and her driver!**
I kind of felt deja vu. I don't remember the title, but it was similar to this from the recent time, where it revolves around a taxi driver and a woman who wanted to be an actress. In this the distinct feature was the Beatty's role. After returning from the retirement, he's in business now. Directing it, as well as in one of the prominent characters. An 80 years old and still has left lots of spark in him. It was really a great comeback, yet the film is not fully convincing. Even though an enjoyable one, particularly for the awesome performances by all.
The film was about Howard Hughes, but I don't know whether it is a biopic or just inspired by. Anyway, it was in the backdrop of Hollywood film industry. The story takes place between three characters, including a driver, film director and a wanted to be an actress. Triangular romance, but not exactly a romance film. Everything was drama, on the struggles between their professions. Often the narration jumps off to Hughes other business affairs. Overall, it comes back to the original path and takes us to the conclusion.
A very slow screenplay. I'm used to such kind of narration, so I did not find any hard to finish it off. But it won't be same for others, especially if you are not interested in what the film plot deals with. And it is over two hours long. It covered everything it wanted to tell us. They should have avoided them, to make the film a bit quick which would have worked in its favour. Beatty is a very conscious man. Look at the Oscars, he knew the error, but while having a doubt, his partner hurried and announced the winner. I hope he makes another film very soon and stun everybody who criticised this one.
_5/10_