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For those readers who weren’t paying attention in their American history class, here’s a brief recap: In 1932, Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first female to pilot solo across the Atlantic. Spoiler alert! Less then five years later she made history again when she vanished mid-flight. 

Directed by Mira Nair (The Namesake, Vanity Fair) and based on the books East to the Dawn by Susan Butler and The Sound of Wings by Mary S. Lovell, the film covers the period in Earhart’s life from her world acclaim to the fateful day almost ten years later when she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

Academy award winning actress Hilary Swank portrays the legendary pilot Amelia Earhart, but this isn’t a showy performance of acting prowess, but a quiet, more nuanced depiction of the famous aviatrix. Her physical resemblance is astonishing!

Earhart is presented as the embodiment of American spirit, knowing from a very early age that she had to fly. She first received encouragement from publisher George Putnam (Richard Gere looking very dapper). Their stormy relationship is chronicled in the film, but clearly their marriage was based on mutual ambition, admiration and true love. Although, in her usual unconventional manner, she kept her own last name and refused to add the word “obey” to their marriage vows. Their love was challenged by her short but passionate affair with Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor), father of future author Gore Vidal.   

Although the films clocks in at 111 minutes, nearly fifteen could have been deleted with the elimination of a go-nowhere storyline of the young pilot Elinor Smith (In Treatment’s Mia Wasikowska). Perhaps more time could have been devoted to the segment featuring another American female role-model Eleanor Roosevelt (Cherry Jones). I hate to get off on a tangent, but…..is Jones the only actor to ever to have portrayed the president (24) and the first lady of the United States? 

It’s interesting that four female biopics have been released in the last few months; Julie and Julia, Coco before Chanel, Yoo-Hoo Mrs. Goldberg and now Amelia. And there’s no denying that this is a compelling story. On paper, it would seem to be the most fascinating subject material of the four, but on the screen it comes across as merely tepid. And if you were expecting spectacular plane crashes you’ll be sorely disappointed. For that type of fare, go rent Scorsese’s The Aviator.

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