The idea of flight seemed impossible only a century ago, but now it’s an almost mundane part of our daily lives. We take for granted the ability to get on an airplane and in a few short hours be halfway across the world. The image of flight is a very cinematic one, and it’s an image and idea that has been explored in movies since the very birth of cinema. If there is one thing more astonishing than the image of flight, it would be the pioneers behind it. In 2004, Martin Scorsese explored the life of film producer and aviation enthusiast Howard Hughes with The Aviator. Leonardo DiCaprio played Howard Hughes in the film and it went on to receive five Oscars. I’m sure the producers of Amelia are hoping that their film will achieve similar results.
The film follows the life of aviation legend Amelia Earhart, the first woman to successfully fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Earhart gained celebrity status by setting aviation records and even wrote books on her experiences in the cockpit. Amelia the film, will be a look at her life, which ended tragically after her disappearance during an attempt to make a flight around the globe.
"Does this plane make me look fat?"
Amelia was directed by Mira Nair (The Namesake) and based on a screenplay by Ronald Bass (Rain Man). Hilary Swank will be portraying the legendary pilot. The rest of the cast includes Richard Gere (Petty Woman) as George Putnam, Earhart’s husband, as well as Ewan McGregor (Big Fish), Virginia Madsen (Sideways) and Christopher Eccleston (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra).
The film is clearly positioning itself for Oscar contention with its late October release, and its subject matter. The film’s pedigree gives it reason to be in that position as well, with the Bass penned script, as he received an Oscar for his work on Rain Man. Another reason would be because of lead actress Hilary Swank who, if she does indeed get a nomination for Amelia, it would mark her third nomination for Best Actress. Swank has already won two Oscars in that category, one for Boys Don’t Cry and the other for her performance in Million Dollar Baby.
Superman still fascinates Amelia.
I can’t say personally that I’m excited to see this film as much as some of the other potential award season films, as I think it has become too common a genre of film to trudge out around Oscar time. The past couple of years it’s been one biopic after another either taking home top honors in the Best Picture category or the Best Actor/Actress slot. I’m not discounting Swank or any of the actors in this film, each of them has turned in great performances in the past, but I’m just getting burnt out on the whole inspirational life story biopic every time award season comes around.
Amelia soars into theaters October 23rd.
