I've always found that motion-picture biographies are one of the most difficult types of films to be done correctly. Elaborating on the history of someone who walked this world as a titan of their time, is an incredibly difficult task to achieve in under two and a half hours. You also have to deal with screenwriters who have a tendency to over-sensationalize, or simply change history, simply to make the story more exciting.
Pure Poppycock: The Jon Minjoe Story (Starring Rick Moranis)
Coming this Spring
I found myself somewhat shocked when heaps of negative reviews began pouring in for Amelia. The trailers alone might as well have been lovely images of a plane flying while the text reads: We really, really want some Oscar nominations for this film. In general, bio-pics tend to always play that angle--but this one, more than others, seemed to be longing for recognition--and with the cast it had assembled, you can see why they thought they had something special.
"WANT."
-Amelia Production Team
Amelia stars the usually powerful Hillary Swank in the title role. Admittedly, you couldn't have cast the part any better. I've always admired Hillary Swanks willingness to take on more masculine, androgynous roles. Amelia Earhart, who was often compared to Charles Lindbergh because of their likeness, was certainly 'one of the boys' as the movie occasionally attempts to argue.
Pictured:
The perfect person for your movie...if Hillary Swank is unavailable.
The film follows the start, and progression, of Amelia Earharts flying career, as well as her love, and marriage, to George Putnam (Richard Gere). The chemistry between Gere & Swank is questionable, though some of that may simply be the age difference between the two. As per usual, both actors put in a solid performance...though, that isn't quite enough to compensate for the material they are given to work with.
Amelia's leading man is this guys grandfather...I think...
I remember seeing "Public Enemies" earlier this year, and wondering how a two and a half hour bio-pic could contain less than five minutes of actual character development. Amelia, unfortunately, falls into the same trap. While there are beautiful visuals of planes, landscapes, and time-period specific scenes--there is almost no in-depth dissection of one of the most famous women in American history. Beyond that, the film can't seem to decide whether she was a pawn of men, one of the men, an early feminist, or the first female celebrity in American history. Now, some movies like to leave such things open ended to let you decide--but its painfully obvious that it was left open-ended in this film because the writers had no clue.
The Amelia Earhart of our generation? I'm so confused...
(and yes...this picture is an excuse to have Megan Fox on the page--you're welcome.)
Other problems with the movie include, but are not limited to, a rather strange pacing. The movie begins, and comes back to, her final, fateful flight--but then goes through all of it again, in the last 20 minutes which seems odd--and painfully repetitive. Also, and this has been harped on by numerous reviews, but in one scene a character seems to call into question the sexual preferences of Ms. Earhart. Now, if you want to explore her sexuality, thats fine, but to bring it up in one scene for no reason and no support--thats unnecessary and comes off as incredibly weak.
Bi-curious? Eh...never mind...
Despite a star-studded cast desperately struggling to churn out quality from script which simply won't allow it, Amelia never seems to take off. Beautiful visuals are wasted by a script which fails to ever allow this iconic woman to truly steal the spotlight. Watching this movie, you may question how Amelia Earhart captured the hearts & minds of people around the country. A woman like Amelia Earhart deserved much better than this--but knowing Hollywood, they'll probably give it another shot somewhere down the line...
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