Rules Don't Apply

Rules Don't Apply is a standout romantic drama from 2016 that boasts an exceptional cast ensemble. Directed and written by Oscar-winning filmmaker Warren Beatty, the movie stars Lily Collins, Alden Ehrenreich, and Warren Beatty himself— with a line-up of seasoned performers, including Haley Bennett, Taissa Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Matthew Broderick, Annette Bening, and Martin Sheen.

Set against the backdrop of Hollywood's golden era in the late 1950s to the early 1960s, the film immerses viewers in an enchanting period of glitz, glamour, and tumultuous change. It tells a unique story that explores topics of ambition, love, societal expectations, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion in the world of show business.

Lily Collins plays Marla Mabrey, a devout Baptist beauty queen who is brought from her small town in Virginia, dreaming of Hollywood stardom. She is under contract with the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, played with equal parts charm and paranoia by Warren Beatty. Mabrey, along with her God-fearing mother, Lucaberta, portrayed by Annette Bening, is thrust into the exciting yet unpredictable world of Hollywood.

The movie dramatically, yet subtly, exaggerates the peculiarity of Hughes' life - a detachment from conventionalities stomped by his wealth and the latitude it gives him - and concurrently manages to underscore Marla's innocence, her white-glove perspective to the world around her. It's when these two characters interact that the heart of the film shines through.

Adding to the complex relationship dynamics is the character of Frank Forbes, impressively portrayed by Alden Ehrenreich. Frank is Hughes' ambitious, young driver with entrepreneurial dreams of his own. He is also a firm Methodist, engaged to his childhood sweetheart back home, trying to keep his moral integrity intact amid the trappings of Hollywood.

As the story unfolds, Marla and Frank find themselves developing a connection that challenges their core beliefs, entangles them further with Hughes, and stands against the implicit rule set by their employer: no employee is to have any intimate or romantic associations with the contract actresses.

Howard Hughes’s character serves as an intriguing midpoint between these young souls, his own eccentricities, mysteries, and the unpredictability simultaneously driving them apart and pulling them together. The billionaire recluse's peculiar lifestyle and idiosyncratic behavior become an inseparable part of the narrative fabric, rendering significant impact on the trajectory of their lives and dreams.

Characters' weaknesses and charms are played out side by side in this ambiance-laden film reflecting the zeitgeist of the time. Not merely confined to the surface-level narratives of love, ambition, and wealth, Rules Don't Apply delves into deeper territories of identity, morality, faith, and the quintessential quest of finding one's place in this world. There's no black and white in this complex tableau—only the reality that sometimes, the lines are blurred and the rules don't apply.

Accompanied by a score that flawlessly replicates the sound of the era and a cinematography that captures the allure of Hollywood, this film is not just about the narrative itself but also a visual and auditory experience.

While Collins and Ehrenreich passionately bring out the confounding feelings of young love against all odds, Beatty's Hughes delivers a riveting appearance as the eccentric and unpredictable billionaire. It's as much a love story as it is an exploration of Hughes' oddities and eccentricities; with glances into his business dealings, seclusion, and the offbeat genius behind the mogul.

The meticulous, near-obsessive attention to period-specific details reflects in every aspect, from the lush, authentic costuming to the production design evoking Hollywood's bygone era. This dedication provides viewers with a captivating representation of a diverse and symbolic era in America's cultural history.

In a nutshell, Rules Don't Apply adeptly intertwines an unconventional love story with the breathtaking glamour of old Hollywood and the perplexing persona of Howard Hughes. The film boasts a compelling narrative, memorable performances, and an engaging dialogue about societal norms, making it an intriguing option for those who appreciate romance imbued with cultural commentary.