Amelia

This morning I read the reviews for the movie Amelia. I was disheartened with what I read. Almost all of them said the movie was boring. I was debating on whether to see it today or wait for the DVD. It was only when I saw Roger Ebert's review from the Chicago Sun-Times, I knew I was going to see it.

I too, like Roger I'm drawn to every piece of information about solving her disappearance. I am also drawn to her life. I have read many books about her and just can't get enough. A strong, independent woman. I know that there weren't too many woman like that back in the 1930s.

I drove 40 minutes to see this movie. The local movie theater didn't have it. They did bring out Saw 6 and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. Movies I don't think I will see. I mentioned before that I have read many books about her life. I didn't mind that they skipped over her childhood. It was in her childhood that she discovered her love of flying. I thought the movie picked up on the important moments of her life: first woman passenger to fly across the Atlantic, being the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic, marrying George Putnam and her final flight around the world. The movie had newsreels and paper clippings about other accomplishments in her life. If they started out in childhood and tried to fit all her accomplishments in the movie could have been four or more hours.

There is a scene at the end of the movie where Amelia was unable to receive voice transmissions, is running out of gas and can't find Howland Island. Hillary Swank, who I thought did a brilliant job of playing Amelia, is getting so frustrated about the radio, looking at an endless sea, starts tearing up. In that one moment, I could feel her uncertainty. I thought it was acted great.

I know many won't agree with me, but I didn't find it boring. I really enjoyed it.

Amelia official trailer: