Amelia opens up almost at the end of her story in Miami, Florida on June 1, 1937 as she prepares for what will be her final flight. She is asked by a reporter during a press conference if after this, she is going to give up long distance flying and she responds, “Not while there is still life left in me. I fly for the fun of it”. Just a little over a month later on July 2nd, Amelia along with her navigator Fred Noonan (Christopher Eccleston) would disappear never to be seen again, as they attempt to make it to Howland Island.
The film quickly backtracks starting in New York City in April of 1928, Amelia has her first meeting with famed American publisher George P. Putnam (Richard Gere). George whom would not only become instrumental in Amelia’s fame as her promoter but who would also become her husband. George recruits her as the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean, however only as a passenger and actually flying the plane. Amelia is first put off by the offer but the “hook” as George states is she will be the commander of the flight.
With the success oh this flight, Amelia is instantly brought into the spotlight. Much like her mentor Charles Lindbergh, Putnam publishes a book on her flight. Amelia not feeling like she has earned her fame sets outs to fly across the Atlantic again but this time as a solo flight. Amelia once again succeeds and she becomes the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic.
The film also delves into her personal life from her unusual marriage contract with Putnam to her on and off affair with Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor) who would eventually become the Federal aviation administrator.
Amelia is a beautifully shot biopic that gives us a little insight on the first women who flew solo over the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia Earhart was both a pioneer in aviation and for women alike. It’s a sad tale that Amelia’s life and career ended far too soon yet her inspiration lives on. Amelia is a nicely made film that preserves the legacy and continues the fascination of her life and of course her mysterious death.
Extras
Amelia has some bonus features that gives you a nice insight in the making of this tragic tale of a legend.
First up with the Blu-ray, we have a digital copy of the film. Although nice to have, I don’t see this film as one you would watch over and over again. This option is better served when it is a comedy or an action film and not when it is a biopic.
There are several featurettes in making the film including Making Amelia, The Power of Amelia Earhart, The Plane Behind the Legend and Re-Constructing the Planes of Amelia. The titles pretty much explain themselves and are all great to watch after completing the film.
There are ten deleted scenes that included many subplots that were never pursued in the film. These add up to a little over thirteen minutes and give us a little more insight into the real Amelia Earhart.
When a film based on a true story, it’s important (if available) to have footage of the real person or event in the bonus material. Although a little light of this, there are a series of seven Movietone News Reels that only add up to a little over six minutes yet allow us to see the real aviator.
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Special Features
