“Rules Don’t Apply” (** out of four) was a disappointing biographical Hollywood melodrama set in 1958 about Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty) and his relationship with an aspiring actress (Lily Collins) and her driver (Aiden Eirenreich) who fall in love. Director Beatty’s first film in nearly 20 years (and his first starring role since 2001) is frustratingly unfocused, since the movie isn’t so much about Howard Hughes and he is so much more interesting than the other characters who take over. Film is well-acted and handsomely shot but has very little story or substance. Beatty’s performance is much stronger than his directing. Matthew Broderick has a strong role as one of Hughes’ sidemen but his character too fades to the background after a while.