We've all seen biopics chronicling famous people many times before--in fact too many to even list, but how about a biopic about a famous person done, not only presented dramatically, but comically as well. Well, "Rules Don't Apply" has both. In fact it is more of a comedy than drama, which is unusual for most biopics.
Blending equal measures of humor and heart, this is the love story of an aspiring actress, her determined driver and the eccentric billionaire who they work for.
In 1958 Hollywood, a romance blossoms between a new and shy actress, Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins), and a conservative chauffeur, Frank Forbes (Alden Ehrenreich) even though they happen to work for reclusive Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty), who forbids his employees to date each other. Their secret liaison plays out while Hughes' aviation innovations keep pace with his debilitating eccentricities. All the while as these two young people are getting to know one another--for the good and the bad, Hughes is constantly paranoid about his business deals, such as his dealings with Robert Maheu (Alec Baldwin) and Forester (Oliver Platt) to a point where he simply drives these businessmen absolutely as crazy as he is.
Others to round out the cast are Annette Bening as Lucy Mabrey, Marla's conservative mother, Haley Bennett as Mamie, Candice Bergen as Nadine Henly, Matthew Broderick as Levar Mathis, an assistant of Hughes, Dabney Coleman as Howard's dad, Steve Coogan as Col. Nigel Briggs, Taissa Farmiga as Sarah Bransford, Ed Harris as Mr. Bransford, Sarah's dad, Martin Sheen as Noah Dietrich and Megan Hilty as Sally.
This was well directed by Warren Beatty ("Heaven Can Wait" '78, "Reds" '81, "Dick Tracy" '90, "Bulworth" '98, "Dick Tracy Special (TV movie) '10). As one can see, with the vast time span this director has been behind the camera, his resume isn't immense, but certainly is quality. He chooses his projects extremely carefully and I feel that makes for a much more effective filmmaker. So much of the time, it seems that when directors crank out film after film, they can become unoriginal and banal--not every director, but this can happen too easily. It might take some time to see another Beatty film, but the wait will be worth it. It was also written by Beatty ("Shampoo" '75, "Heaven Can Wait" '78, "Reds" '81, "Love Affair" '94, "Bulworth" '98, "Down to Earth" '01, "Dick Tracy Special (TV movie) '10). Along with Beatty's directing talent, he can also write an interesting yarn. This film is a biopic of sorts. It certainly speaks of Hughes' paranoia, his reclusiveness, and his just plain nutty behavior, but Beatty did take liberties in the script which undoubtedly was purposed, which emphasized the comedic aspects of the film that is much more delicious. His characters are rich, diverse and three-dimensional. This is such a lost art in so many other films. What or who will he write about next? This is beautifully photographed by one of my favorite cinematographers, Caleb Deschanel asc ("Black Stallion" '79, "Being There" '79, "The Patriot" 2000, "The Passion of the Christ" '04, "Jack Reacher" '12, "Winter's Tale" '14). The crispness of the detail he showcases in his work is amazing.
This isn't your typical biopic--certainly this isn't "The Aviator" '04, another serious biopic about Hughes, but this is one that one has got to laugh at or, at least, smile at, if for no other reason than to see the great humorous fodder that comes from such a wild individual as Hughes. Sit back and enjoy!
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 127mins.
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