Introduction"Rules Don't Apply" is a 2016 American romantic comedy-drama film composed, produced, and directed by Warren Beatty, who likewise stars in the film. It is set in Hollywood in between 1958 and 1964, interweaving an imaginary love with the real-life eccentricities of billionaire Howard Hughes. The movie features an ensemble cast including Lily Collins, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Broderick, Annette Bening, and Martin Sheen. Its title shows Hughes' track record for unconventional company practices and the individual lives of the characters that relatively defy social norms.
Plot OverviewThe film follows Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins), a devout Baptist beauty queen from Virginia, who gets here in Los Angeles with her mother (Annette Bening) in tow, after being chosen as an agreement starlet for Howard Hughes' (Warren Beatty) RKO Pictures. Concurrently, we satisfy Frank Forbes (Alden Ehrenreich), an ambitious young man working for Hughes who aspires to climb up the ranks within Hughes' business empire. Frank ends up being Marla's individual chauffeur, which belongs to a cohort of motorists appointed to numerous aspiring starlets under Hughes' use.
Regardless of a company guideline that prohibits romantic or sexual relationships between employees and agreement actresses, Marla and Frank's tourist attraction to each other is palpable, causing a budding romance. Meanwhile, both characters struggle with their own personal values and ambitions, frequently clashing with the eccentricities and unforeseeable behavior of their company, Hughes.
As Marla becomes frustrated with the slow pace of her acting career and the lack of actual film functions - a disappointment shared by a lot of Hughes' actresses - she becomes more captivated by Hughes himself, ultimately having an individually encounter with him that changes her outlook. Meanwhile, Frank advances in the hierarchy of Hughes' company world, becoming a confidant and personal aide to the reclusive billionaire.
Hughes' behavior grows significantly unpredictable and unforeseeable, partially due to his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, which affects not only his organization negotiations but also his interactions with his staff and the women under agreement. Many scenes illustrate Hughes facing his own mindset, along with his attempts to elude journalism and federal government firms that are surrounding him due to his non-traditional practices.
Styles"Rules Don't Apply" explores themes of ambition, the clash of individual and social worths, and the conflict in between one's personal desires and expert responsibilities. The film points to the limiting societal and cultural standards of the 1950s and 60s, particularly with respect to gender functions and sexual mores. It also analyzes the concept of mental disorder, especially in a man as effective and influential as Howard Hughes.
Reception and PerformanceUpon release, "Rules Don't Apply" got blended reviews from critics. Some praised the movie for its performances, particularly Beatty's representation of Hughes, and its evocation of the period. However, others criticized it for a narrative that feels disjointed and inconsistent. At the box office, the film underperformed, recovering a portion of its approximated $25 million budget.
ConclusionIn "Rules Don't Apply", Warren Beatty paints a romantic and comedic image of a bygone Hollywood period while attempting to catch the intricacies of its characters, especially the enigmatic Howard Hughes. Though the film failed to connect with a large audience and received a lukewarm response from critics, it provides an interesting fictional take on the life behind the scenes of among movie theater's most legendary figures. The mixed critical reception underscores the obstacles in depicting such a multifaceted character and period, while the central love between Marla and Frank provides a narrative through-line about young love aiming versus a variety of obstacles.
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