Amelia (2009)

Amelia - 2009

Coming up next is 2009's "Amelia", a biopic starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere about the life of one of America's most famous fliers, Amelia Earhart.

The film's supporting cast includes Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, Joe Anderson, Cherry Jones, Mia Wasikowska, and William Cuddy.

The film begins in June 1937 just before Amelia Earhart makes her last and most famous flight into the history books.  As she flies, Amelia looks back over her life.

Years before, hopeful flier Amelia is in New York City, where she meets with publisher George Putnam.  She wants to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

We cut back to Amelia's last flight.  She flies over Africa, and she and her navigator marvel at the freedom of the wild animals on the plains.

Back in the past, Amelia is allowed to fly across the Atlantic, but only as a passenger.  She's not happy about it, but she doesn't pass up the opportunity.  Something goes wrong during the flight, and she has to take command.

She returns to New York City a heroine with a ticker-tape parade held in honor of the crew and Amelia.

George Putnam also helps Amelia write a book about the flight.

They also begin to fall in love.

Amelia begins to mentor young women who are interested in flight, especially a young rule breaker named Elinor Smith.

At a party, Amelia is introduced to flying teacher Gene Vidal, and the chemistry is instant and electric.  The two are quite taken with each other, and George notices from a distance.

George asks Amelia to marry him, and she says yes (though, she stops the minister mid-vows and asks him to leave out the part about obeying).

Amelia tells George that she wants to fly across the Atlantic again.  He tells her she's already done it.  She says it doesn't count because she was only a passenger.  She wants to be at the controls.  George doesn't like it, but he supports her dream.

Amelia sets out with her plane pointed towards Paris.  During the flight, a bad storm arises, and Amelia's plane goes off course.  Even though she lands in Ireland, she's thrilled to have made it.  She's entered the history books.

George is thrilled to see her once she arrives home, and he eagerly scoops her into his arms.

Amelia starts to do things she resents: capitalizing on her fame and doing things like endorsing her own brand of luggage and making personal appearances.

During one of her appearances, Amelia meets up with Gene Vidal again, and he introduces her to his son Gore.  He drives them around afterwards, and the two get close once again.

Unsatisfied with her personal appearances, Amelia continues to push the boundaries of women in flight.

She's even honored with a special dinner at which Eleanor Roosevelt is a guest.  The two women talk about flight, and Amelia recommends Gene Vidal for a position within the government flight program.

After the dinner, Amelia takes Mrs. Roosevelt on a special night flight.  The First Lady is even given control of the plane for a little while.  "Well, I shall never ever forget this night," exclaims Eleanor after landing.

Amelia continues to see Gene in an intimate, social context.

George gets upset, and tells Amelia never to have him at the house if he himself is not present.

She breaks off her personal relationship with Gene, though she maintain a professional one.

She gets the idea to circumnavigate the globe with just herself and a navigator.  The idea isn't well received, and she must overcome a lot of hurdles to convince those in charge to give her the green light, Gene included.

After a rocky start, Amelia is eventually on her way.  This flight becomes her final one, and she waves goodbye to her husband as she prepares to take off.

She and her navigator fly over some truly spectacular scenery as they stick to their schedule.

Unknowingly, Amelia gets to talk to George for the last time by radio.

On the morning of their final day, Amelia and her navigator take off.  Eventually low fuel and the inability to sufficiently remain in contact with a navy ship cause Amelia to lose contact with the world, and she and her navigator are never heard from again.

George is left utterly bereft and heartbroken at the loss of his wife.

The film ends with a voiceover: "Everyone has oceans to fly as long as you have the heart to do it.  Is it reckless?  Maybe.  But what do dreams know of boundaries?"

Cast rundown:

   Hilary Swank................................Amelia Earhart

   Richard Gere................................George Putnam

   Ewan McGregor.............................Gene Vidal

   Christopher Eccleston....................Frank Noonan

   Joe Anderson................................Bill Stultz

   Cherry Jones................................Eleanor Roosevelt

   Mia Wasikowska............................Elinor Smith

   William Cuddy...............................Gore Vidal

And that's all for Amelia.  One of the cars used in this film was one that belonged to Charles Lindbergh, who received it after his nonstop flight from New York to Paris.  Also during the film, actual news footage of Amelia Earhart is used before and after her various daring feats.

One of the things I enjoyed was at the end of the film.  The director used real photos (such as the one above with Earhart and her husband) and video footage to tie everything together.

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