Storyline
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.
Writers: Warren Beatty, Warren Beatty, Lily Collins, Haley Bennett, Taissa Farmiga, Steve Tom, Paul Sorvino, Peter Mackenzie, Ivar Brogger, Dan Desmond, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Broderick, Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen, Hart Bochner, Karl J. Florine, Annette Bening, Lily Collins, Madisyn Ritland, Louise Linton, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Cast: Steve Tom -
TV Newsman #2
Paul Sorvino -
Vernon Scott
Peter Mackenzie -
Gene Handsaker
Ivar Brogger -
T.V. Newsman #1
Dan Desmond -
Gladwin Hill
Alden Ehrenreich -
Frank Forbes
Matthew Broderick -
Levar Mathis
Candice Bergen -
Nadine Henly
Martin Sheen -
Noah Dietrich
Hart Bochner -
Colonel Willis
Karl J. Florine -
Air Traffic Controller
Annette Bening -
Lucy Mabrey
Lily Collins -
Marla Mabrey
Madisyn Ritland -
Bella
Louise Linton -
Betty
Trivia:
The song used in Trailer#2 is called 'Stardust' by Christoffer Franzén. See more »
Goofs:
In one scene, Howard and Harlan discuss the fact that Marla is the only RKO contract girl with the initials MM. Later in the film, however, we learned that Mamie's last name also begins with the letter M. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 4/10
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.
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