Hero. Frontier. Feminist. She meant something different to everyone, but during her lifetime all could agree on one thing: Amelia Earheart was changing the world of aviation, and changing it fast.
Regretfully, no one from my generation will be able to fully understand the monumental impact that Earheart had on the lives of so many. But now, thanks to Mira Nair and actress Hilary Swank, we can all bask in the greatness that was; watching as a woman, longing to fly, overcomes all odds to reach new heights.
Often praised for her accurate portrayals, two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank shines in nearly every scene as the wondrous Earheart. Her movements, speech and facial features resemble that of our true hero, and it isn't by accident that we often can't tell the two apart. Sure the boyish haircut and larger than life teeth make for some iconic sightings, it is the internal behaviors that give Swank's performance heart.
Vying for the heart of our leading lady, both Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor turn in pleasant performances as George Putnam and Gene Vidal, respectively. Though only one can win her heart in the end, (and to be quite honest, the race was never entirely fair), I found the chemistry between Swank and Gere to be the stronger of the two possible combinations. McGregor's role in the film, and its central story, is bleak in all retrospect, making his on-screen appearances limited; especially during the film's second half.
Providing a serene and placid backdrop to a story of overwhelming odds and death, Amelia capitalizes on the opportunities that come with such a story and showcases a wide range of terrain and sky from all over the world. Whether it is blue screen or actual footage, that fact is irrelevant. What is important is the richness captured by the film.
Starting with the beginning of the flight that took her life, the film is, in essence, told through a series of flashbacks, bringing us up to speed on the remarkable career of our lead heroine. I do wish that they had started a bit further back, diving into just what made Earheart want to fly; but ultimately, a day-by-day story of her life would have probably been much to long.
After visiting a parade, a fashion line and that lovely set of suitcases, it is no wonder that our female pilot enjoyed flying so much. There was so much work to be done on the ground; the thought of an escape amongst the clouds would be nothing short of miraculous. Sadly, those same clouds and sky took the beloved life of Earheart, stealing away the hope and dreams of others along with it.
For many, this moment will be their only pre-known fact about Amelia's life - and I cannot attest to the authenticity of the remaining moments in the film. I have been a huge fan since elementary school and found the basic events to follow closely to what I originally studied - though the verdict is still out on the details.
Still, even with that uncertainty, Amelia is filled with heart and soul. Swank deserves an Oscar nomination for her role as she takes a heroic character and turns her into an iconic on-screen presence. It might at times seem like a history lesson, but to those who have ever pondered the life of the world's record breaking female pilot, Amelia is not only a great watch, but an eye-opening experience. One can't help but wonder, What kind of change would she ignite if she were still alive today?
