"Amelia" isn't a bad film, just a film with a lot of 'bad' things mostly what it hints at and doesn't tell.

Most
people who see this film will know the ending so it is what happened
before that has to hold your attention and what happened isn't
explored. There is a hint of a unhappy childhood with an alcoholic
father, a hint at her possibly haven been a lesbian. There is a hint of
an affair with Gene Vidal, the father of Gore, who was starting a new
commuter business with her, while there is a hint that her husband is
aware what is going on.

Amelia Earhart
was first in many things but that is only hinted at. She broke many
barriers for women, set records, proclaimed her independence to her to
be husband by saying that neither had to be faithful to the other 
whether in work or play. At her wedding ceremony she had the word
'obey' struck from the vows which wasnt' quite done in the 1930s. There
is a hint that her husband had another female flier lose a race.

Amelia
Earhart is the center of the film and, consequently, Hillary Swank is
the one burdened with carrying the film. I enjoy seeing Hillary in
films but I never think of her otherwise as to what films she will be
appearing. I was very disappointed in her in this film. She seemed to
be imitating Katherine Hepburn imitating Amelia Earhart and it seemed
more of an imitation than a performance. She does look good in the
fashions of the day and her smile is very toothsome with obvious false
teeth added to her own.

There were only
two other women of note in the film with Mia Wasikowska playing a
younger flier who, it is hinted at, might be competition for Amelia but
sort of disappears. Cherry Jones plays Eleanor Roosevelt and keeps your
eyes riveted to the screen the short time she is on it.

Regarding
the men, Richard Gere,  portrays a man subservient to his wife,
accepting that role in lfe knowing the rewards it can and does bring.
There is a little chemistry between him and Swank but not enough on her
part. Gere grows more handsome with each picture and, as usual, gives a
good performance. Ewan McGregor is sort of stiff in his role as Gene
Vidal though, as always, looks good. Christopher Eccleston stands out
as the alcoholic, highly skillful navigator who went with Amelia on her
last flight.

The directing by Mira Nair
is pedastrian as is the camera work, by Stuart Dryburgh, which includes
all the flying scenes, none memorable.

Another
disappointing film with this one landing squarely on the shoulders of
the director and Hillary Swank's performance not helping.