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Amelia is a biographical drama film released in 2009, directed by Mira Nair and starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, and Ewan McGregor. The movie tells the story of the life of the American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, from her early days as a free-spirited tomboy to her rise to fame as a legendary aviator. The film begins with Amelia's early years in Kansas, where she grew up with her sister as her primary companion. From a young age, Amelia showed a keen interest in aviation and was awed by the planes she saw flying high above her head. She often went to air shows and talked to pilots, dreaming of one day being able to fly herself.

As she grew older, Amelia's passion for flying continued to grow, and she got her first taste of the skies by taking a ride on a biplane with a pilot who worked at a local airfield. From that moment on, she knew that flying was her calling.

Despite the gender norms of the time, Amelia was determined to become a pilot and learn to fly. She saved up money from various odd jobs and eventually took flying lessons in California, where she met and married publisher George Putnam (played by Richard Gere).

With George's help, Amelia began to develop a reputation as an aviatrix, setting records and achieving feats that had never before been accomplished by a woman. She became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and later attempted to circumnavigate the globe, a feat that would ultimately lead to her disappearance en route to Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Throughout the film, we see Amelia's determination and courage as she breaks down barriers and becomes a trailblazer for women in aviation. She struggles with the limitations placed on her by society, but remains undeterred in her pursuit of her dreams.

The film also touches on Amelia's relationship with George, who was not only her husband but also her promoter and manager. Their relationship was fraught with tension, as George sometimes pushed Amelia to do things she wasn't comfortable with in order to maintain her public image.

The performances in Amelia are strong across the board, with Hilary Swank delivering a powerful portrayal of the legendary aviator. Swank perfectly captures Amelia's fierce spirit and unwavering determination, and imbues the character with a sense of vulnerability that makes her all the more relatable.

Richard Gere is also excellent as George Putnam, giving a nuanced performance that captures the complex dynamics of their relationship. The chemistry between Swank and Gere is palpable, and there are some moving scenes between the two as they confront the challenges they face together.

Ewan McGregor rounds out the main cast as Gene Vidal, a fellow pilot and friend of Amelia's. While his role is relatively small, McGregor brings depth and charisma to the character, making him a memorable and likable presence on screen.

One of the strengths of Amelia is its stunning visuals. The film features beautiful cinematography that showcases the awe-inspiring majesty of the skies and the planes that soar through them. There are some breathtaking shots of Amelia flying over the ocean and through stormy weather, and the special effects used to recreate these scenes are impressive.

The film does have its flaws, however. At times it feels a bit too formulaic and predictable, and some of the supporting characters don't receive as much development as they perhaps should have. Additionally, the film glosses over some of the darker aspects of Amelia's personality, portraying her in a somewhat romanticized light.

Despite these issues, however, Amelia is a well-crafted and engaging biopic that does justice to its subject. It's a tribute to a woman who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on history, and a reminder that with passion and drive, anything is possible.

Amelia is a 2009 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 37.