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AMELIA

by Jane Louise Boursaw

Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for some sensuality, language, thematic elements and smoking
Released in Theaters: Oct. 23, 2009
Genre: Drama, Biography
Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Mira Nair
Cast: Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, Joe Anderson, Mia Wasikowska

SYNOPSIS: The life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937, comes to life on the big screen.

Sex/Nudity: A married woman has an affair; some passionate kissing which leads to off-screen sex. Discussion about fidelity within a marriage.

Violence/Gore. Air turbulence; a plane crashes before takeoff on the runway. A scene where a pilot is unable to make contact with a ship, leading to a possible crash (but it’s not shown).

Profanity: Includes “hell,” “damn,” goddamn,” and “a**hole.”

Which Kids Will Like It? Kids 12 and older who like movies about flying or historical figures. Otherwise, I think most kids will probably be bored.

Will Parents Like It? There’s nothing too objectionable here for kids 12 and older. On an adult level, it’s an interesting, if unremarkable, look at the life of Amelia Earhart.

REVIEW: I’m sort of hot and cold on Hilary Swank. There’s no doubt that she’s a great actress – she’s won two Oscars, after all (for “Million Dollar Baby” and “Boys Don’t Cry”). But there’s something about her that’s just a little annoying. I almost hesitate to say it, but she seemed to be over-acting in her portrayal of Amelia Earhart. I just wanted her to snap out of it and be a real person on the screen – not a caricature of a historical figure. There, I’ve said it.

Most of us know the story of Amelia Earhart, the legendary pilot who brought flying into the realm of women, and who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937, while attempting to fly around the world with her navigator, Fred Noonan (Christopher Eccleston). They were supposed to re-fuel on Howland Island, a tiny speck of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but while trying to make radio contact with a ship, their connection was lost and they were never seen again.

That was the best scene of the movie, because you really get the whole impact of that lost radio contact – both Amelia and Fred realize that this is the end for them. We don’t actually see them fly into the ocean, but you know it happens.

Prior to this fateful flight, Amelia fell in love with and married publisher George Putnam (Richard Gere), who helped her create the hype over “Lady Lindy,” as well as an advertising campaign (selling an “Amelia Earhart” luggage and clothing line, among others) and lecture circuit to help fund her flying. She wasn’t happy with it, but she knew it was necessary to keep her in the skies. She loved the freedom of flying.

But Earhart also had an affair – with fellow pilot Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor) whose son Gore Vidal grew up to be an icon himself.

The film included shots here and there of archival footage of the real Amelia Earhart, and with her thin frame and tousled hair, Swank closely resembles the aviatrix. I have no idea what the real Earhart sounded like, but both my 12-year-old daughter and I were ultra-annoyed with how Swank talked – like she had cotton in her mouth. I don’t know – maybe that’s how the real woman sounded.

“Amelia” isn’t a bad movie, and it’s clear that Earhart helped women make great strides in not only aviation, but other areas of their lives, too. The movie is also visually stunning, with sweeping views of land across the globe, as seen from the cockpit of an airplane.

Still, the movie leaves something to be desired and will most likely appeal to people who are interested in aviation or the life of Earhart. At the very least, it will make you want to search further to find out more about her.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM :

One Reel: Pathetic. Even The Force can’t save it.

Two Reels: Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.

Three Reels: Something to talk about.

Four Reels: You want the truth? Great flick!

Five Reels: Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net