| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Steve Tom | ... |
TV Newsman #2
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| Paul Sorvino | ... |
Vernon Scott
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| Peter Mackenzie | ... |
Gene Handsaker
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| Ivar Brogger | ... |
T.V. Newsman #1
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Dan Desmond | ... |
Gladwin Hill
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| Alden Ehrenreich | ... |
Frank Forbes
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| Matthew Broderick | ... |
Levar Mathis
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| Candice Bergen | ... |
Nadine Henly
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| Martin Sheen | ... |
Noah Dietrich
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| Hart Bochner | ... |
Colonel Willis
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Karl J. Florine | ... |
Air Traffic Controller
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| Annette Bening | ... | ||
| Lily Collins | ... | ||
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Madisyn Ritland | ... |
Bella
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| Louise Linton | ... |
Betty
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An aspiring young actress (Lily Collins) and her ambitious young driver (Alden Ehrenreich) struggle hopefully with the absurd eccentricities of the wildly unpredictable billionaire, Howard Hughes, (Warren Beatty) for whom they work. It's Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen, songwriter, and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Ehrenreich), who is engaged to be married to his 7th grade sweetheart and is a deeply religious Methodist. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test, but also defies Hughes' #1 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. Written by 20th Century Fox
Really hope in time I'll realize that I just missed something, but as much as I hate to say it, this was somewhat disappointing. Any Beatty film will certainly have much to praise, and this is no exception - looks great, sounds great, great acting from an incredible cast, many funny moments - but the story doesn't hold up to the superior levels of the other areas. Out of respect for not giving anything away, I'll be vague, but there are a couple of major plot points that are rather forced. I'll trust that the protagonist's eccentricities are accurate reflections, but by the end, I just didn't care and many moments felt more like eccentricity for the sake of eccentricity. I remain such a fan that not sure if I want people to agree with this review or convince me that I'm wrong. My apologies, Mr. Beatty. I'll see anything you make and hope this won't be your last, but overall I didn't find this whole equal to the sum of its parts.