One to miss: Amelia (2009)
June 9th 2010 19:49
I’d read a couple of less-than-favourable reviews of Mira Nair's Amelia before I rented it on DVD last weekend, and yet, I was still cautiously optimistic about this film. I mean, it’s a biopic of one of the greatest aviatrixes (and figures of mystery) that ever lived, and it stars Hilary Swank. She’s already won two Oscars. How bad could it possibly be?
Pretty bad, as it turns out. And sadly, the root of the film’s failure lies in Swank’s dull performance. I found Swank’s portrayal of Amelia Earhart so wooden, and so lacking in any real emotion that I was almost compelled to quit watching. When a lead actress appears to not even want to be there, it really is an effort to give her film the time of day.
The film also seemed to be struggling with what aspects of Earhart's life should be given the most attention, with the result being too great a focus on her romantic entanglements, and less time devoted to her considerable achievements as a pioneer in aviation.
Of course, there were some saving graces to the movie – specifically, the cinematography, which captured beautiful aerial scenes of African landscapes, rolling hills and dense jungles, as well as the sets and costumes which showcased the 1930s in all its glory – but they were rather limited, and even Swank’s co-stars couldn’t save her painfully bland portrayal. Richard Gere, who played Amelia’s husband George Putnam, was as flat as they come, though to be fair this was probably due to the fact that his character received minimal screen time and a boring script, rather than a lack of effort from Gere himself. Ewan McGregor was vaguely compelling as Earhart’s alleged lover Gene Vidal, but his attempt at an American accent left a lot to be desired, and while Cherry Jones was fabulous as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, she simply wasn’t in it for long enough to properly lift Amelia out of the doldrums.
Credit must also be given to director Mira Nair for not over-dramatising the climax of the film, wherein Amelia and her navigator (the alcoholic Fred Noonan, played by Christopher Eccleston) lose contact with their ground crew on Earhart’s doomed final journey. Despite us all knowing how it ends, these scenes were genuinely suspenseful and were among the film’s few meaningful moments.
While some pun-loving critics saw the uplifting side of the film (“When it takes to the skies Amelia really soars” - Allan Hunter), most were not so thrilled (“This limp biopic may inspire you to reach for the air sickness bag” - David Edwards). I may be low on flying puns but I’m definitely part of the latter camp. It was as though Swank, having achieved resounding success with 2004’s Million Dollar Baby, already knew she’d made it in Hollywood and as such, believed she no longer had to try…. and this was ultimately the core of Amelia’s failing. What could have been a truly inspirational account of the most extraordinary woman in aviation history was instead a lifeless echo, and consequently one of the most disappointing movies I’ve ever forced myself to see.
Pretty bad, as it turns out. And sadly, the root of the film’s failure lies in Swank’s dull performance. I found Swank’s portrayal of Amelia Earhart so wooden, and so lacking in any real emotion that I was almost compelled to quit watching. When a lead actress appears to not even want to be there, it really is an effort to give her film the time of day.
The film also seemed to be struggling with what aspects of Earhart's life should be given the most attention, with the result being too great a focus on her romantic entanglements, and less time devoted to her considerable achievements as a pioneer in aviation.
Hilary Swank's portrayal of Amelia Earhart may have missed the mark, but the physical resemblance is undeniable.
Of course, there were some saving graces to the movie – specifically, the cinematography, which captured beautiful aerial scenes of African landscapes, rolling hills and dense jungles, as well as the sets and costumes which showcased the 1930s in all its glory – but they were rather limited, and even Swank’s co-stars couldn’t save her painfully bland portrayal. Richard Gere, who played Amelia’s husband George Putnam, was as flat as they come, though to be fair this was probably due to the fact that his character received minimal screen time and a boring script, rather than a lack of effort from Gere himself. Ewan McGregor was vaguely compelling as Earhart’s alleged lover Gene Vidal, but his attempt at an American accent left a lot to be desired, and while Cherry Jones was fabulous as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, she simply wasn’t in it for long enough to properly lift Amelia out of the doldrums.
Hilary Swank in character with two of her Amelia co-stars, Cherry Jones and Richard Gere
Credit must also be given to director Mira Nair for not over-dramatising the climax of the film, wherein Amelia and her navigator (the alcoholic Fred Noonan, played by Christopher Eccleston) lose contact with their ground crew on Earhart’s doomed final journey. Despite us all knowing how it ends, these scenes were genuinely suspenseful and were among the film’s few meaningful moments.
While some pun-loving critics saw the uplifting side of the film (“When it takes to the skies Amelia really soars” - Allan Hunter), most were not so thrilled (“This limp biopic may inspire you to reach for the air sickness bag” - David Edwards). I may be low on flying puns but I’m definitely part of the latter camp. It was as though Swank, having achieved resounding success with 2004’s Million Dollar Baby, already knew she’d made it in Hollywood and as such, believed she no longer had to try…. and this was ultimately the core of Amelia’s failing. What could have been a truly inspirational account of the most extraordinary woman in aviation history was instead a lifeless echo, and consequently one of the most disappointing movies I’ve ever forced myself to see.
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Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
I still love Hilary Swank as an actress, Boys Don't Cry was one of the most moving (and enlightening) films ever and I loved her Maggie character in Million Dollar Baby, but it just goes to show that actors can't rest on their laurels and get away with it. Thanks for reading, David.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I think she should stick to what she's good at.
Great review!
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach