The first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia Earheart (Hilary Swank), exposes her passions and struggles in her self-entitled biopic film, “Amelia”. Due to the great lengths she had managed to achieve with her undying zeal for flying, she has set record highs for feminine independence. In 1928, although she was a passenger, she was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. Then in 1932, she flew across the Atlantic solo, to officially be the first woman to ever do so. To people everywhere she was an inspiration including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Becoming a huge icon, her manager and husband George Putnam (Richard Gere) converts her into one of the first media celebrities as she reluctantly endorses cigarettes and luggage. Independence was her key trait and though married, she didn’t want to be tied down to her husband and engages in an affair with her long time friend and lover, pilot Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor). In summer of 1937, she left with a mission, to perform a solo flight around the world. Famously, she disappeared in the middle of the Pacific; her plane was never found, and declared dead in 1939.
Though Earheart’s tale is strikingly dramatic and tragic, the movie had hit too many holes along the way that brought their film’s flight down. Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank can’t bring life to Earheart’s character but it’s not her fault and the blame is on the over explanatory script. Screenplay written by Ron Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan is based on two biographies adding too many unnecessary and confusing details to the story. With the film aimed to inspire teenage girls of independence and freedom, Director Mira Nair overloads characters with a cargo of messages that turns the film dragging. “Amelia” also exposes actress’ Swank’s limitations in acting as Earheart’s character is way off than her usual tear-jerking dramas. She fails to embody Earheart’s passions and comes off stiff and lifeless.
However despite the dowdy plot and underrated acting, the movie scores high technically. Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh crafts lovely aerial images and lush landscapes creating a rich set that takes audience high above and breathless. Though financially constrained, the costumes and the movie’s design was striking and appealing.
“Amelia” inspires women to stand up for themselves and soar high to reach for their dreams.
