Many actors express discomfort with watching their own performances, and Leonardo DiCaprio falls into this category. However, he makes an exception for Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film The Aviator. This biographical film about Howard Hughes marks DiCaprio’s second collaboration with Scorsese, following the critically acclaimed Gangs of New York. Due to its profound impact on his career and personal journey, The Aviator holds a unique significance for DiCaprio, reflecting both his artistic growth and connection to the film industry.
“I rarely watch any of my films, but if I’m being honest, there’s one that I have watched more than others. It’s The Aviator,” DiCaprio shared in an interview with Esquire. “That’s simply because it was such a special moment to me. I had worked with Marty [Scorsese] on Gangs of New York, and I’d been toting around a book on Howard Hughes for ten years. I almost did it with Michael Mann, but there was a conflict and I ended up bringing it to Marty.“
DiCaprio elaborated, “I was thirty. It was the first time as an actor I got to feel implicitly part of the production, rather than just an actor hired to play a role. I felt responsible in a whole new way. I’ve always felt proud and connected to that film as such a key part of my growing up in this industry and taking on a role of a real collaborator for the first time.“ This sense of ownership and collaboration significantly influenced his approach to acting and filmmaking, marking a turning point in his career.
The Aviator achieved remarkable success, garnering 11 nominations at the 77th Academy Awards. These included prestigious categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and DiCaprio’s inaugural Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The film intricately portrays Hughes’ life from 1927 to 1947, illustrating his ascent as a prominent film producer and aviation magnate, even as he struggles with increasingly severe obsessive–compulsive disorder. Reflecting on it, I realize it might be time for a rewatch to appreciate its depth once more.
Fans can anticipate DiCaprio’s next performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film One Battle After Another. This film, reportedly inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, features DiCaprio in the role of Bob Ferguson, an ex-revolutionary on a mission to rescue his daughter from a long-dormant enemy. The cast includes notable names such as Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Regina Hall, Tayana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Wood Harris, and Alana Haim. Audiences can look forward to its release on September 26, which promises to be another captivating performance from DiCaprio.
Which Leonardo DiCaprio movie have you rewatched more than any other?
