RULES DON’T APPLY

Warren Beatty writes, directs and portrays legendary billionaire Howard Hughes in this offbeat romantic comedy. Devout Baptist Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins) arrives in the Hollywood of 1958 as one of Hughes’s studio contract girls, set up with a house and driver (Alden Ehrenreich), who is similarly devout. Both are also ambitious, making an impression on Hughes, and it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is not allowed, and confronting choices will have to be made.

Ehrenreich and Collins are perfectly cast in their roles.

Beatty’s involvement has certainly inspired a number of big names to accept small roles in the film, which is an amusing tribute to a golden age of Hollywood.

★★★

Reviewed by Craig Coventry.