The two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank and Indian film director Mira Nair bring a cloyingly earnest biographical drama "Amelia" based on the exploits of Amelia Earhart that arrives in theaters nationwide Today.
An extraordinary life of adventure, celebrity and continuing mystery comes to light in "Amelia", a vast, thrilling account of legendary aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who has a special place in the hearts of all Americans. Perhaps it's because of her role as a trail-blazer for women. Maybe it's because of her mysterious disappearance, the subject of much speculation and theorizing. After becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia was thrust into a new role as America's sweetheart - the legendary "goddess of light," known for her bold, larger-than-life charisma. She was an inspiration to people everywhere, from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the men closest to her heart: her husband, promoter and publishing magnate George P. Putnam (played by Golden Globe® winner Richard Gere), and her long time friend and lover, pilot Gene Vidal (by Ewan McGregor). In the summer of 1937, Amelia set off on her most daunting mission yet: a solo flight around the world that she and George both anxiously foresaw as destined, whatever the outcome, to become one of the most talked-about journeys in history.
The screenplay by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan is based on Susan Butler's book "East to the Dawn", Mary Lovell's book "The Sound of Wings" and Elgin Long's "Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved". Old-fashioned in the best sense of the word, "Amelia" soars. Director Mira Nair has crafted a big, beautiful, and sweeping motion-picture biography about a true American legend, with a solid performance from Swank, who is outstanding, transforming herself into the complex public and private Amelia Earhart with humanity and heart.
"Amelia lived her life the way she wanted to live it. She made no apologies for saying,'This is my life and this is how I see it and this is how I want it to be done,'" Swank said. "Her story was certainly a reminder for me to live life, and that you have to constantly look within and continue to live the life that you know you want to live, for yourself and not for other people."
However, the glossy, stodgy and unfailingly conventional, "Amelia" sets out to inspire an audience but never feels inspired itself. The film was lavishly produced, but the spirit is missing. What Amelia ends up being is a film that doesn't honor its subject: we don't know Earhart any better, nothing elemental about her is explored, and all the beautiful air cinematography in the world can't save that.
An extraordinary life of adventure, celebrity and continuing mystery comes to light in "Amelia", a vast, thrilling account of legendary aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who has a special place in the hearts of all Americans. Perhaps it's because of her role as a trail-blazer for women. Maybe it's because of her mysterious disappearance, the subject of much speculation and theorizing. After becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia was thrust into a new role as America's sweetheart - the legendary "goddess of light," known for her bold, larger-than-life charisma. She was an inspiration to people everywhere, from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to the men closest to her heart: her husband, promoter and publishing magnate George P. Putnam (played by Golden Globe® winner Richard Gere), and her long time friend and lover, pilot Gene Vidal (by Ewan McGregor). In the summer of 1937, Amelia set off on her most daunting mission yet: a solo flight around the world that she and George both anxiously foresaw as destined, whatever the outcome, to become one of the most talked-about journeys in history.
The screenplay by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan is based on Susan Butler's book "East to the Dawn", Mary Lovell's book "The Sound of Wings" and Elgin Long's "Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved". Old-fashioned in the best sense of the word, "Amelia" soars. Director Mira Nair has crafted a big, beautiful, and sweeping motion-picture biography about a true American legend, with a solid performance from Swank, who is outstanding, transforming herself into the complex public and private Amelia Earhart with humanity and heart.
"Amelia lived her life the way she wanted to live it. She made no apologies for saying,'This is my life and this is how I see it and this is how I want it to be done,'" Swank said. "Her story was certainly a reminder for me to live life, and that you have to constantly look within and continue to live the life that you know you want to live, for yourself and not for other people."
However, the glossy, stodgy and unfailingly conventional, "Amelia" sets out to inspire an audience but never feels inspired itself. The film was lavishly produced, but the spirit is missing. What Amelia ends up being is a film that doesn't honor its subject: we don't know Earhart any better, nothing elemental about her is explored, and all the beautiful air cinematography in the world can't save that.
