A “masterpiece” biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio is streaming now on Netflix. The Aviator (2004) depicts the life of glamorous aircraft designer and film producer Howard Hughes from 1927 to 1947.

The film charts his rise to remarkable wealth and fame, building trailblazing flying machines and rubbing shoulders with Hollywood‘s biggest stars. But as his renown hits stratospheric highs, Hughes’ struggle with what biographers have described as the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder begins to worsen considerably.

The star-studded cast also includes Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Ian Holm, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Gwen Stefani, Kelli Garner, Matt Ross, Willem Dafoe, Alan Alda, and Edward Herrmann.

The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and based on Howard Hughes: The Secret Life, a non-fiction book about the iconic entrepreneur by Charles Higham.

The screenplay was written by John Logan.

Fans showered The Aviator with praise, with one writing on IMDb that it’s “a beautiful epic capturing Hughes’ life with style and grace”.

Another, on Rotten Tomatoes, called it a “modern masterpiece”.

A second called it “far better than most biopics”. “This is Scorsese’s most beautifully shot film,” they added. “With arguably Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performance.”

A third said it’s a “stunning period piece that depicts the life of a true aviator in an engaging and tragic way”.

It has 12 a certificate and contains distressing scenes depicting Hughes’ mental health struggles, so viewer discretion is advised.

The Aviator returned to Netflix on Thursday, November 27, some nine years after it last appeared on the streaming platform.

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