Rules Don't Apply

Name: Rules Don't Apply
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: November 23, 2016
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Lily Collins

2016

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Mixed or average reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Ratings

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5.4

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Ratings

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Rules Don't Apply

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: November 23, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Lily Collins

Summary: It’s Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Alden Ehrenreich), who is engaged to be married to his 7th grade sweetheart and is a deeply religiousIt’s Hollywood, 1958. Small town beauty queen and devout Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins), under contract to the infamous Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty), arrives in Los Angeles. At the airport, she meets her driver Frank Forbes (Alden 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.… Expand

Director: Warren Beatty

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 127 min

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden

Nov 22, 2016

The wonder of the movie, which Mr. Beatty wrote and directed from a story he wrote with Bo Goldman, is that it is so good-humored. Fools and idiots abound, but demonic, systemic evil does not. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Nov 11, 2016

Beatty’s long-gestating project is a modestly enjoyable, well-acted nostalgia piece with just a touch of edge. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Nov 23, 2016

This is a movie about how one’s passion can burn away and leave in its place a vast nostalgia. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Nov 11, 2016

The romantic comedy-drama Rules Don’t Apply is, by turns, fizzy and melancholy, nostalgic and clear-eyed, but it never builds to anything especially substantial. Read full review

John Bleasdale

Apr 29, 2017

There's a wry comic sensibility that sees Hughes himself as an absurdity who seems half aware of his own ridiculousness. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Nov 22, 2016

If Beatty was not trying to make a movie about Hughes, he utterly failed, because the love story of Frank and Marla is more like a framing device — a gateway drug to get the audience into the theater so that Beatty can chew some scenery. Even so, he chews it quite well. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Nov 22, 2016

It would still be a stinker even if it wasn't cloaked in a dark shroud of cultural and political relevancy. It's just that bad. Read full review

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User Reviews

3ebfan511

Apr 14, 2018

If you in any way enjoy the character of Howard Hughes (say from the Aviator) I would highly recommend this film. It is interesting to see a completely different take on the man, I can't say one was better than the other. The only downside is maybe this film does not get to the core of theIf you in any way enjoy the character of Howard Hughes (say from the Aviator) I would highly recommend this film. It is interesting to see a completely different take on the man, I can't say one was better than the other. The only downside is maybe this film does not get to the core of the man quite how Aviator did. But this film instead offers up some very funny lines, and focuses more on Hughes as he aged, exploring some parts of his life that the "Aviator" did not. While the film is not perfect, I really liked it, for the comedy, the romantic aspect, and the curiosity that is Howard Hughes. Really enjoyed it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BeauFuller

Nov 27, 2016

Kinda wonky, just like I how I read about Howard Hughes life anyway. I laughed a bunch and it was a good movie to take my parents to. I would recommend seeing it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Nov 29, 2016

This movie purports to be about a young couple (Alden Ehrenreich & Lily Collins) that fights falling in love because it's against their bosses' rules. In reality (pun intended), their relationship is peripheral to the story's central character: Howard Hughes (played by the film'sThis movie purports to be about a young couple (Alden Ehrenreich & Lily Collins) that fights falling in love because it's against their bosses' rules. In reality (pun intended), their relationship is peripheral to the story's central character: Howard Hughes (played by the film's writer/director Warren Beatty). Granted, their lives are greatly affected by the billionaire, but at heart, the movie's about Hughes' increasingly peculiar lifestyle and Beatty's eccentric portrayal. It's fun to enjoy the '40s period and watch the elaborate systems set up around the famous recluse. The performances are good, the situations are interesting and the pacing never lags, but the plot rambles and never offers any kind of emotional involvement or compelling dramatic payoff.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

Jun 26, 2017

A film director, his actress and her driver!

I kind of felt deja vu. I don't remember the title, but it was similar to this from the recent time, where it revolves around a taxi driver and a woman who wanted to be an actress. In this the distinct feature was the Beatty's role. AfterA film director, his actress and her driver!

I kind of felt deja vu. I don't remember the title, but it was similar to this from the recent time, where it revolves around a taxi driver and a woman who wanted to be an actress. In this the distinct feature was the Beatty's role. After returning from the retirement, he's in business now. Directing it, as well as in one of the prominent characters. An 80 years old and still has left lots of spark in him. It was really a great comeback, yet the film is not fully convincing. Even though an enjoyable one, particularly for the awesome performances by all.

The film was about Howard Hughes, but I don't know whether it is a biopic or just inspired by. Anyway, it was in the backdrop of Hollywood film industry. The story takes place between three characters, including a driver, film director and a wanted to be an actress. Triangular romance, but not exactly a romance film. Everything was drama, on the struggles between their professions. Often the narration jumps off to Hughes other business affairs. Overall, it comes back to the original path and takes us to the conclusion.

A very slow screenplay. I'm used to such kind of narration, so I did not find any hard to finish it off. But it won't be same for others, especially if you are not interested in what the film plot deals with. And it is over two hours long. It covered everything it wanted to tell us. They should have avoided them, to make the film a bit quick which would have worked in its favour. Beatty is a very conscious man. Look at the Oscars, he knew the error, but while having a doubt, his partner hurried and announced the winner. I hope he makes another film very soon and stun everybody who criticised this one.

5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bogmire

Nov 28, 2016

Saw this at the DGA with followed by a Q&A with the director. Frankly, it's a mess. While there are some enjoyable bits of period stock footage, and its nice to see the cars up close, the story is nearly incoherent, the point of the film is seriously confused, and by the director'sSaw this at the DGA with followed by a Q&A with the director. Frankly, it's a mess. While there are some enjoyable bits of period stock footage, and its nice to see the cars up close, the story is nearly incoherent, the point of the film is seriously confused, and by the director's admission, they sort of made it up as they went along. This was his vanity project, and its clear no one could tell him he was going to end up with a jumbled, oddly edited, strange film. After listening to the director speak, the irony of the role he played is sadly massive.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Trailesque

Sep 26, 2017

This flaccid flick was a big budget dud for supperannuated star Beatty. The center of the story, occupied by the loony billionaire Hughes, is pretty weird at best. The main focus is on a young man named Frank and a girl named Marla, both of whom have come into the Hughes orbit in pursuitThis flaccid flick was a big budget dud for supperannuated star Beatty. The center of the story, occupied by the loony billionaire Hughes, is pretty weird at best. The main focus is on a young man named Frank and a girl named Marla, both of whom have come into the Hughes orbit in pursuit of their dreamss, which are success in real estate for Frank, and Hollywood stardom for Marla. They are hot for each other but unable to consummate things because of various obstacles, like Hughes's rules. This is an attempt at some classic Hollywood, and to some extent it works - the cruising down the boulevard scenes really make it look like it is 1962 - but both the leads are lacking in charisma and some sections drag.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ChloePebbles

Apr 21, 2020

The movie is marketed as a romantic comedy-drama, but I didn't find the movie funny, romantic, or touching in any way. The cinematography is pleasing to look at, but that's about the only redeemable quality of the film. The story is a jumbled mess that doesn't really seem to have muchThe movie is marketed as a romantic comedy-drama, but I didn't find the movie funny, romantic, or touching in any way. The cinematography is pleasing to look at, but that's about the only redeemable quality of the film. The story is a jumbled mess that doesn't really seem to have much purpose, and as it progresses, it slowly ruins all the characters and makes you root against them, instead of for them. And the conclusion/resolution of all the loose ends just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. What was the point of this movie? I have yet to find out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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