Parents' Guide to

Amelia

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Period biopic is uplifting but doesn't truly soar.

Movie PG 2009 111 minutes
Amelia Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Matt B.
Matt B. Adult
February 25, 2019
age 13+

This deserves PG-13

This movie contains sensuality. It pushes the limits of PG.
khan2705
khan2705 Adult
May 29, 2011
age 13+

average movie.

Hilary Swank and Richard Gere star in director Mira Nair's biopic tracing the life of famed aviator Amelia Earhart -- who made history in 1932 by becoming the first woman ever to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The trip made the aviatrix a national celebrity -- with help from her publicist George Putnam (Gere), whom she fell in love with and eventually married. Their union was tested, however, as Earhart developed feelings for contemporary Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor ), and the couple's marriage faced the ultimate tragedy years later, as Earhart's fierce independent spirit spurred her to attempt to fly around the world -- a venture that infamously shrouded her in mystery, as the pilot simply vanished after crashing into the Pacific Ocean. Christopher Eccleston and co-star in the Avalon Pictures production. i was aware of all the negative reviews it got from both the critics and audience, i wasn't willing to watch it as i rated it Not Interested last year but it was on TV last night and come on how can a movie fan like me resist the charm of my second most favorite actress of Hollywood, the 2 times Oscar Winner Hillary Swank. Mira Nair did a pretty good work with movies like Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake and few others but this movie is one of her least good movies. performance of Hillary Swank bothered many reviewers here, which is shocking as i was reading them, well not to me. the movie explores the life of Amelia Earhart, who become the first woman ever to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and also her personal life and how these both effected her or her relations in general. but honestly speaking i don't know what wen't wrong but i wasn't satisfied with the story and research that have been done for it. it seems empty throughout and feels like there is more to fill in, it seems so superficial like no deep search have been done, we don't see the full Amelia or her life in this movie. based on a very interesting story of this fabulous woman and her superb life, the movie is that dull and just lifeless. Hillary Swank as Amelia Earhart is really convincing and her physical transformation is just superb, she fits very well as her and was the most perfect choice for this role. she delivered a good performance i liked it but besides her nothing much good, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, Joe Anderson , Cherry Jones or others, and a surprise Mia Wasikowska was in this movie which i didn't know. Direction of this movie wasn't good needed much more attention than it got. Story was okay could have been better, screenplay was very dull and empty in many places. Editing was average, art direction was above average, costumes were good. Cinematography was excellent, i loved it. this movie could have been so much better than it was. Not recommended from me unless you are a Hillary Swank fan or just wan't a average popcorn entertainment.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

July 2, 1937: Pilot Amelia Earhart (Hilary Swank) and her navigator, Fred Noonan (Christopher Eccleston), make their way home after circling the world. But instead of refueling on Howland Island, a speck of land in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, they drop radio contact and are never seen again. AMELIA chronicles this fateful journey and the years leading up to it, starting with the moment that Earhart meets publisher George Putnam (Richard Gere), who helps create the hype over "Lady Lindy" and whom Earhart later marries. Though they adore each other, Earhart's attentions are lured elsewhere -- by fellow pilot Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor) and, more intensely, by flight itself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (9):

Swank is indeed talented, but not talented enough to translate the true spirit of the great Amelia Earhart. The famous aviatrix is still intangible here, despite Swank's close physical resemblance to the famed pilot. In a way, that's what's the matter with the film itself. Gorgeously filmed, especially when Earhart takes to the skies, Amelia nevertheless feels untethered. And it never quite takes flight. Director Mira Nair knows how to create stunning visual poetry, but that doesn't help us get to know the icon. Was she reckless? Was she a visionary? How did she feel about her achievements?

It's only when we see Earhart in the cockpit that we get a sense, if fleetingly, of the great joy she must have felt when she was up in the air; free, as you can imagine her saying. The script is uneven: Too much attention is paid to a young Gore Vidal (who's not actually essential to the plot) and not enough to his father, Gene (played soundly by MacGregor), who captivated Earhart enough to lure her away from her husband. But why, we don't know. After nearly two hours of film, there's just too much viewers don't get to find out.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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