Review - Amelia

Amelia is based on the true story of Amelia Earhart (through two books about her life) played by Hilary Swank. She was a famous pilot during the 1930s who achieved record setting accomplishments. The infamous part of her career was disapearing somewhere over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to be the first person to fly around the world - an event that has fueled speculation and excitement ever since. Amelia tells this story as well as the tale of her personal life during this period which greatly features her love interest George Putnam (Richard Gere).

The Likes: The first thing that struck me about this movie was the high quality of Richard's and Hiliary's acting as well as that of the supporting cast. Also the film's writing by Ronald Bass and Anna Hamilton Phelan was suberb. The film shows both the positive and negative sides of being famous from the point of view of Amelia and it showed her as more than just a famous pilot. This wasn't an action movie but it did have plenty of exciting sequences. The background visuals were also excellent.

The Dislikes: This really isn't important to the story itself but I would have liked to have seen more things to contribute to the era that the movie depicts. There are things like period cars, fashion, as well as scenes that make NYC seem like a safe place. But you never hear news reports or anything showing that you are in the Depression era or that there are significant political changes taking place in Asia and Europe. There is a theory out there that Amelia was shot down by Japanese fighters.

Rating: This a good movie. Much better than what I was expecting. I give it a strong ...RENT IT.