35/365 Amelia

Starring: Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor

Genre: Biopic

Discovery: A recommendation by Brandi got ‘broken’ in the mail so I ran to the video store to grab a movie.

Summary: If you know anything about flying you have heard her name.  Amelia Earhart is about as legendary as it gets in that field.  This movie portrays her as a woman fiercely lead by her desire for flying and freedom even though she married her great love, George Putnam.  (Some liberties were taken as we don’t know what her final hours were like and have to surmise)

First Glance: Period pieces jazz me up because for a few hours I am transported into another time.  This film beautifully captures the aura of the 20′s and 30′s. Amelia was not your traditional female, she bucked social convention much to the chagrin of her loyal husband who always supported her no matter what.  To me, this film fails in one area: making Amelia human.  It’s almost like Hilary focuses in on one side of her personality and stays there until the very end.  Then we are rewarded with a glimpse of softness.  Perhaps that is how she was.

Deeper Look: It must be truly hard to capture such an iconic figure.  To blend all the subtleties that make them unique.  The film did an admirable job.  My big question was where did she get this insatiable drive to fly?  Little is caught of her young life.  Of course, you can’t expect to sum up someone’s life in a few hours but that kept me from really “getting” who she was.  The movie is a tad dull.  Not quite a snorefest but just lacking the necessary “heart” I like in my true stories.

What I Took Away from this Movie: Amelia Earhart paved the way for strong women everywhere.  She was ahead of her time.

Final Glimpse: Pretty decent rental.