Moment of truth

THERE is something of the old school Hollywood celebrity to Leonardo DiCaprio.

At 37, he looks and acts more like a star from the James Cagney era than of today. Gracious and almost formal in his politeness, DiCaprio is serious to the point of earnestness when it comes to representing his work.

Titanic made him ludicrously famous overnight in 1997, but he has skilfully managed to avoid falling into the usual traps most overnight teeny-bopper sensations encounter. Perhaps it has to do with being guided by old-school directors like Martin Scorsese. Or perhaps DiCaprio truly is an old soul who understands how to keep the dancer separate from the dance.