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MOVIES
Recently, we saw her played by Amy Adams in the "Night at the Museum" films. Now, Hilary Swank is taking her turn. Successful enough that she was awarded Best Actress from a group called "The Hollywood Awards".
Joyce: Amelia may be hot again, but I'm afraid this film did not reflect enough of that in my opinion.
Rico: I was surprised to learn, or possibly relearn, that in her 1930's ground breaking flight across the Atlantic was just a passenger.
Later, she went on to actually fly the planes she set records in, and became "America's Sweetheart". No doubt, she had charisma to burn and hubby was a promoter, par excellence.
Joyce: I found no fault in the casting and acting of "Amelia". Richard Gere as her manager and husband, George Putnam, of the publishing house and Ewan McGregor as pilot,Gene Vidal, whose main claim to fame recently was as the father of Gore Vidal. Gore appears in the film as a small boy, who wonders why his father doesn't marry Amelia.
Rico: It's a sketchy story, but she did inspire people, especially women, everywhere including Eleanor Roosevelt who was one her passenger in a small plane.
Joyce: The real story is a rich lode, which the writer did not mine unfortunately. All I can say is "Where's the beef?" It's a somewhat superficial script that doesn't thrill like the real Amelia did.
Rico: Gere is portrayed as a little older and rich. Vidal is younger and a little more exciting. This affair seems to have been no secret.
But her accomplishments were unquestionable, front page news.
Joyce: The film is beautiful to look at, the aerial shots are wonderful.
And ladies, Gere is always great to look at too.
Rico: Her final, ill fated flight on a leg around the world is probably known by everyone interested in her story. It's a plot point similar to that of the Titanic.
Not a happy ending, but a decent film, especially considering what's out there.
Joyce: I'm afraid I was quite disappointed in this version. There was much more to Amelia than this film delivered. The more I thought about it, the more disappointed I got.
**1/2
Rico: I enjoyed it ***1/2 - green light
Film: Amelia
Director: Mira Nair
Genre: Biography, Drama
Running Time: 111 minutes
Cast Includes: Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart,
Richard Gere as George Putnam, and Ewan McGregor as Gene Vidal.
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