I think the Aviator is the best movie I saw last year. I especially liked the scene where he makes a fool of the bought-and-paid-for congresscritter.
Hughes, at least as portrayed in this movie, was a standup guy and visionary, a Renaissance man who made movies and flew airplanes as a test pilot. In other words, a person of substance, accomplishment, courage, and a risk-taker. Thats why it was so great seeing him taking down the congresscritter, who was probably used to getting his way as a result of his position in government (and on the take from Pan Am, in the movie).
I havent read much about Hughes, so maybe this movie personification is inaccurate. Ill leave that to any Hughes scholars here.