Amelia (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
'Amelia', directed by Mira Nair (The Namesake), looks at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who, in 1937, disappeared while flying over the Pacific in an attempt to circumnavigate the world. The attempt included Earhart (2-time Oscar winner, Hilary Swank), & her navigator, Fred Noonan (Christopher Eccleston). During the last leg of their journey, as they were approaching the small Howland Island (for refueling), they were never heard of again. A crash? Captured on the island? Died in prison? No one knows. But the film does not address the mystery/theories surrounding Earhart's disappearance. Nor does it address rumors of her bisexuality (given her physicality, & passive relationships with men). Since there is no certainty, Mira Nair doesn't offer definitive answers. I respect that. And though the film would have benefited from a more thoughtful exploration of the lead character - I did enjoy watching 'Amelia'.
The film starts in June of '37, with Earhart already on her last flight (soaring over mountains, seas & deserts). The movie concludes with her disappearance. And the story unfolds in flashback. We meet Amelia years before stardom; when she is selected by promoter/publisher George Putnam (Richard Gere) - her eventual husband - to be a passenger on the 1st transatlantic flight since Lindbergh's 1927 feat. This flight ignited her fame - giving her the nicknames: 'Lady Lindy', & the 'Goddess of Light'. She used that newfound attention to inspire woman flyers, & to continue her flying habit. And in 1932, Amelia would make her 1st solo flight. After this benchmark, Amelia became a hugely influential role model for young women. Thanks to George's management, Amelia became a spokeswoman (doing ads for clothes, luggage, & cigarettes - even though she didn't smoke). She befriended Eleanor Roosevelt (Cherry Jones). And she even had an affair with pilot Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor), father of Gore. But when the dust settled, Amelia re-united with her devoted husband, George. And together, they planned what would become the most talked about journey in aeronautical history: her ambitious, but ill-fated flight around the world.
The weakest aspect of this generally fine movie is the screenplay. Specifically, the dialogue is too broad & cliched to be taken seriously. Conversations btwn. characters lack substance, & did not feel naturalistic to the moment. I call it, 'movie dialogue'. Also, while Amelia had very few indiscretions (she flew, marketed household items, had an affair, loved her husband, & died young), the 'telling' of Amelia's story should have been a bit more engrossing. The movie doesn't seem overly concerned to give us an in-depth look at Amelia: The Woman. Narratively, we see news headline montages, childhood flashbacks in Kansas, flying, & some of her rise to stardom, but none of it particularly rivets. The film is safe when it needed to be bold.
Swank does a very nice job as the somewhat underwritten Amelia. Her success as an actress is uneven (apart from striking gold twice at the Oscars, she's taken several mediocre roles). Here, she looks the part, walks the part, talks the part, and yet, I always knew it was Hilary Swank emulating Amelia Earhart; acting prickly, confident, & brave ... a check-off list of emotions. But despite all of that, I still liked her portrayal. Richard Gere surprised me. For some reason, I figured he'd phone this performance in. But I really bought it, as well as his love for Amelia. I liked Chris Eccleston's Fred Noonan. He felt real in a film that offers a few too many moments of superficiality. And I really enjoyed a sequence when Amelia takes Eleanor Roosevelt flying; great cameo from Cherry Jones.
Stuart Dryburgh's aerial cinematography soars -- my mouth opened in awe at several shots. And he does a great job capturing & creating suspense during Earhart's more dangerous flights. The art direction (vintage aircraft) & costumes (1920s & 30's) are immaculate. And the orchestral score by Gabriel Yared (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain) is as beautiful & varied as always. I can still hear the main theme in my head.
'Amelia' should appeal to several demographics. I, a biopic lover, am one of them. Teachers can use this film in their classrooms. Pilots will appreciate the death-defying sequences. Women should be inspired by Amelia's promoting of female independence & achievement; her feminist stance on what once was a male-dominated profession is something to see. And the older crowds will love it; not only the old-fashioned Hollywood feel of the movie, but for the fact that it's nostalgic of a time, place, & person who they were familiar with in their youth. I just feel that - for a film chronicling one of the most adventurous women in history, 'Amelia' (the movie) is not very adventurous. So, in closing, while movie is nothing to go bonkers for, it is watchable, & perfectly adequate.
The film starts in June of '37, with Earhart already on her last flight (soaring over mountains, seas & deserts). The movie concludes with her disappearance. And the story unfolds in flashback. We meet Amelia years before stardom; when she is selected by promoter/publisher George Putnam (Richard Gere) - her eventual husband - to be a passenger on the 1st transatlantic flight since Lindbergh's 1927 feat. This flight ignited her fame - giving her the nicknames: 'Lady Lindy', & the 'Goddess of Light'. She used that newfound attention to inspire woman flyers, & to continue her flying habit. And in 1932, Amelia would make her 1st solo flight. After this benchmark, Amelia became a hugely influential role model for young women. Thanks to George's management, Amelia became a spokeswoman (doing ads for clothes, luggage, & cigarettes - even though she didn't smoke). She befriended Eleanor Roosevelt (Cherry Jones). And she even had an affair with pilot Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor), father of Gore. But when the dust settled, Amelia re-united with her devoted husband, George. And together, they planned what would become the most talked about journey in aeronautical history: her ambitious, but ill-fated flight around the world.
The weakest aspect of this generally fine movie is the screenplay. Specifically, the dialogue is too broad & cliched to be taken seriously. Conversations btwn. characters lack substance, & did not feel naturalistic to the moment. I call it, 'movie dialogue'. Also, while Amelia had very few indiscretions (she flew, marketed household items, had an affair, loved her husband, & died young), the 'telling' of Amelia's story should have been a bit more engrossing. The movie doesn't seem overly concerned to give us an in-depth look at Amelia: The Woman. Narratively, we see news headline montages, childhood flashbacks in Kansas, flying, & some of her rise to stardom, but none of it particularly rivets. The film is safe when it needed to be bold.
Swank does a very nice job as the somewhat underwritten Amelia. Her success as an actress is uneven (apart from striking gold twice at the Oscars, she's taken several mediocre roles). Here, she looks the part, walks the part, talks the part, and yet, I always knew it was Hilary Swank emulating Amelia Earhart; acting prickly, confident, & brave ... a check-off list of emotions. But despite all of that, I still liked her portrayal. Richard Gere surprised me. For some reason, I figured he'd phone this performance in. But I really bought it, as well as his love for Amelia. I liked Chris Eccleston's Fred Noonan. He felt real in a film that offers a few too many moments of superficiality. And I really enjoyed a sequence when Amelia takes Eleanor Roosevelt flying; great cameo from Cherry Jones.
Stuart Dryburgh's aerial cinematography soars -- my mouth opened in awe at several shots. And he does a great job capturing & creating suspense during Earhart's more dangerous flights. The art direction (vintage aircraft) & costumes (1920s & 30's) are immaculate. And the orchestral score by Gabriel Yared (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain) is as beautiful & varied as always. I can still hear the main theme in my head.
'Amelia' should appeal to several demographics. I, a biopic lover, am one of them. Teachers can use this film in their classrooms. Pilots will appreciate the death-defying sequences. Women should be inspired by Amelia's promoting of female independence & achievement; her feminist stance on what once was a male-dominated profession is something to see. And the older crowds will love it; not only the old-fashioned Hollywood feel of the movie, but for the fact that it's nostalgic of a time, place, & person who they were familiar with in their youth. I just feel that - for a film chronicling one of the most adventurous women in history, 'Amelia' (the movie) is not very adventurous. So, in closing, while movie is nothing to go bonkers for, it is watchable, & perfectly adequate.