Rules Don't Apply

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2:15

Rules Don't Apply

PG-13

2016

2h 1m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

178 Reviews

34%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Small-town beauty queen and devout Baptist 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, only two weeks on the job and also from a religiously conservative background. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test but also defies Hughes' number one rule: no employee is allowed to have an intimate relationship with a contract actress.

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Critics Consensus

With Rules Don't Apply, Warren Beatty takes an overall affable -- but undeniably slight -- look at a corner of old Hollywood under Howard Hughes' distinctive shadow.

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Kristen Lopez

Culturess

Nov 20, 2017

Everything...is undercooked, half-thought and damn near incomprehensible.

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

May 2, 2017

2.5/5

Beatty has made a beautiful-to-look-at film making full cinematic use of its glamorous period setting. But despite having all the ingredients for a charming movie, like Howard Hughes, Rules Don't Apply's soul remains elusive.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Apr 28, 2017

4/5

A richly satirical portrait of American double standards.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 5, 2022

2/4

Beatty's lofty ambitions for this project are undone by the story and presentation's general unevenness.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 17, 2021

2.5/4

Viewers who can get on the film's wavelength will find much to enjoy, but there's no denying the picture is slight in the extreme.

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Charlotte Harrison

Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies

Apr 13, 2021

Written, directed and starring Warren Beatty (playing Hollywood eccentric and legendary billionaire Howard Hughes) this is a love story of sorts to the era of Golden Hollywood...

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Luff V

@Aubambambam Aug 4, 2026

Warren Beatty's immense talent for making films is intact and percolates throughout this opus. Acting, art direction and storytelling are impeccable. Characters evolution and portrayal are gripping. The movie gives food for thought when put in perspective... billionaire sex predator ogres are a longstanding tradition in america... an old demented Hughes's endless tantrums, immature food habits (burgers at night, gallons of banana nut ice cream) and sleepless nights feel straight out of a sadly nonfictional president's life. A must watch.

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Frans B

@FransB Jan 31, 2026

A little disappointed. If this is the fruit of Warren Beatty's 40 year long research on Howard Hughes, well .... he missed. I understand now why this is his first movie that did not receive any award nomination. Stellar cast all for nothing. Script is hackneyed and vague at times. Great cinematography though. Best watch it and decide for yourself, taste differs hey? (Oh, and the ending is just ridiculous, a total farrago)

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donnie m

@RT64375194 Nov 10, 2025

i just watched this in 2025 and i liked that i actually was able to get lost in the movie and i really like the girl that played Marla and great acting by Frank

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Monic Kenya M

@RT39028728 Oct 14, 2025

Intentions to show a real Hollywood and DBL standards, even with a promising cast failed completely. Not impressed by Beatty s directing.

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Kawika L

@RT74641677 Aug 31, 2025

A real surprise. Sneaky good script and brilliant cast. Best Hughes movie out there, and Warren Beatty adds to his rep as one of the best ever.

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bob c

@RT46426964 Jun 25, 2025

Beatty is as usual great to watch, but his writing and directing not quite so much. Indeed, he’s downgraded his own character Howard Hughes and upgraded the much less interesting young romancers. And I cared little for them. Hughes on the other hand! President Bartlett gets a mini cameo as do a couple of others. But it hinges on Warren/Howard and there’s not enough of him.

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Warren Beatty

Director

Warren Beatty

Howard Hughes

Lily Collins

Marla Mabrey

Alden Ehrenreich

Frank Forbes

Annette Bening

Lucy Mabrey

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Synopsis

Small-town beauty queen and devout Baptist 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, only two weeks on the job and also from a religiously conservative background. Their instant attraction not only puts their religious convictions to the test but also defies Hughes' number one rule: no employee is allowed to have an intimate relationship with a contract actress.

Director: Warren Beatty
Producer: Warren Beatty, Arnon Milchan, Brett Ratner, James Packer, Christopher Woodrow, Frank Giustra, Steve Bing, Terry Semel
Screenwriter: Warren Beatty
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: RatPac Entertainment, Regency Enterprises, Worldview Entertainment, Shangri-La Entertainment, Demarest Films
Rating: PG-13 (Drug References|Brief Strong Language|Sexual Material|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.6M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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