OK for kids 11+
Period biopic is uplifting but doesn’t truly soar.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this biopic about iconic female pilot Amelia Earhart (played by Oscar winner Hilary Swank) has a strong female role model for preteen girls and older. Although the film addresses Earhart's tumultuous personal life (including issues related to fidelity and fame), it also offers empowering messages -- throughout the film, Earhart is portrayed as a true champion of a woman's right to take flight and “be free.” Expect some kissing and underwear-clad cuddling, an affair, a fair bit of smoking (accurate to the era), some social drinking, and a little salty language ("ass," "hell," and the like).
- Families can talk about what drives Earhart to set records. Does she have anything to prove, or is she simply a true aviator? Was she, as critics said, reckless?
- What impact did Earhart have the women’s movement? Did she detract from that with all her endorsements, especially of products she didn’t actually like, such as cigarettes?
- What is the movie saying about "celebrity culture"? How have things changed (or haven't they?) since Earhart's day?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie has positive take-aways about being brave and following your dreams; as Earhart says to a child, “Look your fear right in the face." It’s a character-building exhortation that still resonates today. The film also raises issues related to "celebrity culture," as Earhart'siconic status is engineered by her marketing genius of a husband.
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Role models: She’s flawed, of course, like most heroines, but Amelia Earhart was still revolutionary. She advanced women’s causes and fought to stay true to herself even as she was being molded by celebrity culture and financial considerations.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some turbulence in the air. Black-and-white footage of a plane crash (not serious).
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Sex: Passionate kissing; a married woman has an affair; some discussions about having a marriage in which fidelity may not be a necessity. A man propositions a woman, hinting that she’s the kind who doesn’t respect her marriage. A man and a woman cuddle; they lounge in their underwear and lingerie.
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Language: A few uses of words like “hell,” “damn,” "goddamn," and “a--hole."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking in restaurants and bars. One man is described as having a drinking problem. A good bit of smoking (accurate for the era); Earhart somewhat reluctantly agrees to an endorsement deal with Lucky Strike brand cigarettes (though she herself isn't a smoker).
Fan Reviews provided by
3
AMELIA - grounded and flightless. Grade: C. (Based on advance VIP press preview) by MOVIES REVIEWER
Directed by Mira Nair(Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Fair, The Namesake) and screen-written by Ronald Bass (based on two biographies - East to the Dawn by Susan Butler and The Sound of Wings by Mary S. Lovell.), AMELIA is a 1hr 51min biopic that chronicled the iconic and legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart's rise to prominence amidst her relationship with her husband, George Putnam, and on her brief affair with her lover, Gene Vidal.
I enjoyed AMELIA's:
1) Attention to detail - gorgeous sets/period furnishings/decor, authentic-looking costumes, vintage vehicles/airplanes.
2) Sweeping cinematography that showcased gorgeous vistas of the sky/clouds and beautiful panoramic views of landscapes.
But THE question I kept asking myself was - where were the motivational factors and driving forces that propelled Amelia Earhart to her outstanding accomplishments? (What fueled her obsession?)
I was underwhelmed by all the flash - I wanted SUBSTANCE which the movie failed to deliver.
5
Amelia by nancysummers1
As always, Hillary Swank did a superb job!!!!! Richard Gere did an outstanding
job on portraying her husband. The story line was interesting. I applaud the
director for making a film that wasn't filled with bad language, nudity, and
gore. I so want the return of glamour and class. Is it possible?
2
Amelia never gets off the ground by jimjoel49
I always thought Amelia was an inspiration to the American spirit till I watch this movie. The movie show us an Amelia who is self centered, reckless, gold digger, and a real sl*t. I read a review that said this was a love story but according to the movie Amelia was in love with herself that used men to get what she wanted. I do not know if this movie was factual but it put Amelia and her career in a very bad light.
The cinematography was good and the period scenes & costumes where great. Hilary Swank gave a good performance and using real news footage was nice but not enough to give this movie a better rating. The movie portrays Amelia career as all smoke and mirrors. The movie characters lacked emotion. You do not care about the characters because they are all shallow and self serving. Gere performance was not believable. The special effects where not special. The planes for some reason did not look real in flight. This movie was a disappointment.
5
AMELIA by hermfam11
My 16 year old daughter and I (55 yrs old) enjoyed the movie very much. Hilary Swank was brilliant! The cinematography and the flashback scenes were incredible! Not sure how anyone could rate it only So-So. You have have to go and see it for yourself.
4
History comes alive! by butteredpopcorn09
In view of the many-many movies today that are just plain dumb and disappointing, I don't understand why many have been so critical of this movie! I had to see it at another cinema, because our Regal isn't even running it, but I thought it was VERY good! If you are any kind of history buff at all, or one interested in Amelia Earhart (as I have been since childhood) you'll enjoy this movie! Swank and Gere were excellent in it as well! (Bear in mind that people of this past era did live life at a slower pace, speak sometimes more formally...it was a different age...and I wonder if that is part of why some think this movie is "slow"! It's not supposed to be "Die Hard"!!...it captured the historical era and atmosphere of that place and time beautifully!) It certainly held my interest beginning to end!
3
Amelia by lmseals
It was nice that some depth and layering was given to Amelia. Sets and costumes were great as were the CG's. But I was expecting a little more. My husband and I who are both pilots, (he professional, me private) found it to be a bit boring. We watched "The Making of 'Amelia'" on HBO and found that to be far more interesting! I am glad the movie was made to honor this incredible woman. It was nice to see that Gore Vidal actually had a iving, breathing human parent too!
5
AMELIA by david3737
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT MOVIE..DEFINITELY OSCAR WORTHY. HILARY SWANK AT HER BEST AS AMELIA..SHE IS SUCH A FINE ACTOR..RICHARD GERE WAS SO BELIEVABLE, THE ENTIRE CAST WAS WONDERFUL. I NEVER REALLY KNEW THE STORY OF AMELIA EARHARDT AND IT WAS DONE IN SUCH A LOVING WAY, ITS ALWAYS NICE TO ENJOY A MOVIE AND ALSO LEARN SOMETHING. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY.
4
Inspiring pioneer of early aviation by jaxdaugherty
This movies will not appeal to those who crave the blood lust so commen in todays movies. For those who are interested in a story of a true to life pioneer willing to risk it all, dialogue without gratuitous profanity, costumes and scenery that transports you to another time and place, then this movie is for you. Hilary Swank and Richard Gere get high marks for thier perfomances. The cinematography was filled with exotic landscapes and wide vistas of far away lands. Even the original films and photos added to the experiance.
4
Amelia by gardj
I liked and enjoyed this movie and you should go see it because it portrays Amelia Earhart really well. It also has a great love story. I love her determination and her husband's support for her flying.
4
Hillary is brilliant by dibs2cents
I read the reviews just before I left for the movie and heard a few say that the actors selected were wrong for the part. Now that I have seen the movie, I couldn't disagree more. Hillary and Richard were perfect for the part and acted as I imagined the real Amelia and husband were. Now the movie was fairly true to course, so the story line will be predictable. Still, I thought this movie was worth seeing and absorbing, by some brilliant acting, especially on Hillary's part.