Amelia MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +4 Content: +2

Main actors: Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston. Director: Mira Nair

FILM SYNOPSIS:Amelia Earhart (Hilary Swank), the first woman to fly an airplane across the Atlantic, died tragically in 1937 when she attempted to fly around the world accompanied only by her navigator, Fred Noonan (Christopher Eccleston). Amelia begins as she embarks on that fateful journey, and through flashbacks we see how she became a legendary aviation pioneer. Her exuberance and determination captured the heart of George Putnam (Richard Gere), as well as that of Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor). This is much more than a love story, however, but a first class biopic about an amazing woman. Combined with beautiful photography, excitement, danger and breathtaking photography, Amelia is a memorable cinema experience.

Many excerpts from Amelia Earhart’s journal reveal the soul of a poet in her descriptions of her “bird’s eye” view of the world, her hopes and feelings (“...fog comes like little feet ...”; “I am a vagabond of the air.”).

PREVIEW REVIEW:Each character is flawed – Amelia risks her marriage when she has an affair with Gene Vidal; opportunist George Putnam sees Amelia’s fame and popularity as a tool to promote numerous businesses; and Fred Noonan is an alcoholic. Their lives are intertwined, with the irrepressible Amelia at the center. She warns Putnam that her passion for flying is the core of her being. She bluntly tells him “Only I can make my life fulfilling” when he proposes marriage. What is particularly notable is Putnam’s unselfish dedication to the marriage and his persistence in supporting her dream of flying around the world.

Amelia evolves from a freckle-faced little girl in Kansas into a sophisticated young woman with her photos splashed across magazines and newspapers during the depression years. She expresses concern for the long lines of the hungry unemployed, and feels a responsibility to encourage girls to follow their dreams even during desperate times. In the late 1920's and 30's, girls were expected to marry and have children. The only careers open to them were teaching, nursing and clerical/secretarial jobs. Suddenly, here comes a record-breaking, real-life woman who has not hidden her dream but made it reality!

The PG rating may mislead parents to take young children to see Amelia. Unless they have some knowledge of the pre-World War II era through books or school, the subject will be difficult to grasp. Also, one strong profanity and a few sensual scenes of Amelia and Putnam and her with Vidal may not be appropriate.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: AE Electra Productions