Following an 18-year hiatus, Warren Beatty returns to the silver screen with free-wheeling throwback Rules Don’t Apply. Following the twilight years of American aviation and film baron Howard Hughes as he slowly descends into paranoia and madness, Rules Don’t Apply affixes the bones of an old-timey romantic comedy to an unconventional biopic making for a nostalgic glimpse into film making’s past that’ll have you asking “Why don’t they make ‘em like they used to?”

Though Rules Don’t Apply is undeniably Beatty’s show, the true breakout is lead Alden Ehrenreich (who earlier this year made a splash in the Coen’s Brother’s otherwise disappointing Hail, Caesar!) As a driver/go-man working for the illusive and mysterious Hughes, Ehrenreich’s Frank Forbes does all he can to crack into the industry – he has aspirations of buying up a lot and converting it into high-end real estate – and in Hollywood that often means zipping your lip and taking your licks.

As the soft-spoken but determined Frank, Ehrenreich projects his own meaning into the strong silent stereotype, making as strong a case as ever for his casting as a young Han Solo in the upcoming spin-off Star Wars anthology film. Throughout the course of the picture, Ehrenreich’s jejune spirit transforms, taking on harder edges and steeling itself against the harsh realities pressing down upon him, turning his once soft exterior hard as a diamond. Matching Ehrenreich’s youthful vitality is an equally charmed and charming Lily Collins as Marla Mabrey, a small town Baptist with big city aspirations recently contracted by the notoriously womanizing Hughes. She too is subjected to a Kafkaesque transformation, unfurling her moral fortitude for a dreamy future of luxury and jewelry.

One of the many asks demanded of Frank: keeping his paws off the fresh-faced and eager Marla. Any contract actress for that matter is deemed off limits per Hughes’ patriarchal and antique rules that his ladies of the screen must not date. Especially the help. Much to the chagrin of serial cheat Levar Mathis, played with uncommon vivaciousness by Matthew Broderick. But as forbidden love heats up between Frank and Marla and Marla circles closer to the enigmatic Hughes, a forbidden love triangle emerges that threatens everyone’s careers and reputations.

Rules Don’t Apply has a certain dexterity bestowed upon it that allows for its many tonal dime shifts. The film, produced, directed, written by and starring Beatty, ambles between frothy comedy and melancholy melodrama nonchalantly. It spends equal time exploring puppy love and sanity. Never taking itself too seriously, there is a certain pep in its step that keeps even the more somber moments – Hughes verifiably losing his mind, ordering up all the remaining gallons of banana nut ice cream in the world – light-hearted and full of loose-lipped chortles.

This blithe framing of Hughes’ dubious history may draw criticism from those looking for a more traditional and austere account of the eccentric billionaire and his many questionable business and romantic dealings but what Beatty accomplishes is something truly unique. His turn as the sanity-challenged tycoon is electric, perhaps verging on caricaturesque at moments, but always electric and his direction is as confident and lively as ever.

A scene that sees Hughes take the yoke of a plane during a particularly batty spell, with Frank and a stupefied Steve Coogan looking on in abject horror, is especially nutty. It’s the kind of batshit looney-toon madness that inspired decades of Hughes’ legends and “tall tales” and Beatty translates it to screen with plenty of humor and just as much unbelievable zaniness.

It’s beyond impressive just how many seasoned veterans Beatty attracted to even the slightest of roles: Alec Baldwin, Oliver Platt, Ed Harris, Taissa Farmiga, Paul Schneider, Martin Sheen Paul Sorvino. Perhaps the brightest spot of all is Annette Bening who shines as Marla’s disenfranchised mother who has trouble believing all the promises bestowed upon her impressionable offspring. Though her dubiousness falls on deaf ears, there is worn wisdom to her not trusting anyone who’s wallet inspires such blind confidence. But such is life.

CONCLUSION: Often overwhelmingly funny and intermittently sweet and salty, peppered with refreshing performances from a stellar cast and three overpoweringly enticing leads in Alden Ehrenreich, Lily Collins and Warren Beatty, ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ is an unusually pleasant return to form from Beatty, even if it does not rank near his finest efforts.