The Aviator is a 2004 biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by John Logan, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes. The film covers Hughes' life from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s, during which time he became a successful film producer and aviation magnate. It also portrays Hughes' struggles with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, which began to manifest in the late 1920s and became increasingly debilitating over time.
The film begins with Hughes' early successes as a film producer, including the creation of the World War I epic Hell's Angels. It also depicts his romantic relationships, both personal and professional, including his well-publicized affairs with actresses Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. As Hughes becomes more deeply involved in aviation, he develops an intense interest in creating faster and more advanced aircraft, and the film portrays his efforts to develop the revolutionary H-1 Racer and the Spruce Goose, a massive aircraft made mostly of wood.
Throughout the film, Hughes' obsessive-compulsive disorder becomes increasingly pronounced, leading to disturbing and often bizarre behavior. He becomes convinced that he has contracted a disease from the germ-infested carpets in his Hollywood office and begins to constantly wash his hands and avoid contact with other people. He also becomes increasingly paranoid about his enemies and rivals, leading to confrontations with the government, rival aviation companies, and even his own employees.
Ultimately, The Aviator portrays Hughes as a complex and deeply troubled figure, with his obsessive-compulsive disorder and eccentric behavior often threatening to overshadow his many successes in the worlds of film and aviation.