Amelia (2009)
Tonight I took on Amelia, Mira Nair’s biographically based account of some of Amelia Earhart’s adventures. This film stars Hillary Swank as Amelia, Richard Gere, and Ewan McGregor.
I must say, this is a beautiful movie. It’s not 100% true to real life, as few movies — which are entertainment ever are — but as far as what it does do for you it does well. I’m sure we are all familiar with Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, the first one to fly it solo, and who disappears attempting to circumnavigate the globe.
What this movie does show is a woman who knew something she wanted in life, that is to fly. And how the people around her try to ride along on her coattails or use her to get ahead themselves. It’s about how she empowers herself and inspires other women as well as men and children, to dream big and to reach for those dreams. It’s about how her husband discovered that sometimes you can best love someone by letting them be who they are and as he discovered letting someone go to pursue their dreams doesn’t mean you lose them, love is a powerful thing and can bring people back.
And possibly best said by Amelia in this movie, when you have a dream and something you want to do “Don’t let anyone turn you around.”
In short, a beautiful film showing the wonder and spectacle of flight and a entertaining way to spend an evening.
Rated PG. 120 minutes (2 hours).
