The Aeronauts
Written By: Margaux Fortier
Photo Courtesy of TIFF
The Toronto International Film Festival 2019 was a wonderful example of accomplishments of women in Hollywood and in cinema from around the world. Having a high ratio of female-driven stories and female filmmakers featured in the lineup, the festival is paving the way for film festivals of the future. Making its Canadian premiere at TIFF 2019, The Aeronauts screened at Roy Thomson Hall for a full room of excited viewers. The Director, Tom Harper, introduced the film and was joined by cast and crew.
The Aeronauts centers around the adventure and relationship of a meteorologist and an aeronaut performer in the basket of a hot air balloon. The balloon is rising to break the record for the highest balloon flight with nothing but its two passengers, a series of scientific instruments to measure the weather and trajectory of the trip, and a dream. Based on true events, The Aeronauts is visually stunning and emotionally charged to bring the audience through the skies and beyond.
Felicity Jones, the female lead of the film, leaps off the screen with a dynamic and compelling character that is hard to forget. Amelia Wren is an aeronautical performer whose balloon is necessary for the historic journey, but hidden demons of her past lie within the basket and threaten to make themselves known as the balloon rises, temperatures drop, and air becomes thinner. Playing off of the man-of-science meteorologist, played by Eddie Redmayne, who is pushing the limits of what they think capable and her fearlessness is put to the test.
With a scene late in the film reminiscent of the resilience and power of Unbroken (2014), Felicity Jones comes to an unfathomable realization and leads the audience to the edge of their seats as well as the edges of the heavens. The strength in not giving up drives the characters to the limits. The bond between Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne is always engaging, as seen in their past collaborations, and the audience roots for them to overcome every obstacle.
Felicity Jones in The Aeronauts, Photo Courtesy of TIFF
The Aeronauts will make your heart pound as you follow the progress of the balloon’s climb and Felicity Jones makes the film the achievement that it is. Her character is compelling and heartbreaking, funny and headstrong, and makes a huge impact in the world of women in media today. She is a veteran of the screen, showing her range through quiet indies as well as large scale adventures. As her resume grows, so does her ability to embody the female characters we want to see.
The Aeronauts is in select theaters and available on Amazon Prime Video.
https://www.amazon.com/Aeronauts-Felicity-Jones/dp/B0812BH8CS
