Rules Don’t Apply

Cert 12A, 127 minutes, opens 21 April

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Lily Collins, Warren Beatty Director: Warren Beatty

THE PLOT Hollywood ingénue Marla (Collins) and young chauffeur Frank (Ehrenreich) are both on the payroll of Howard Hughes (Beatty), but neither have met him. Then the eccentric billionaire enters their lives… WHAT’S RIGHT WITH IT? Alden Ehrenreich, the best thing in last year’s Coen brothers film Hail, Caesar!, makes an appealing couple with Lily.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT? Having struggled for decades to make his cherished Howard Hughes film, Beatty – who’s 80 – really is too old now for the role.

VERDICT Unluckily involved in that ridiculous Oscars cock-up, Hollywood legend Beatty offers up a likeable – if less than essential – movieland romance. ★★★ Charles Gant