Atlas Shrugged: The Movie

I'm planning on seeing it but I'd like to get some reactions first. I'm in the process of reading the book and I want to make sure that the movie doesn't go beyond part 1 as written in the book.

 

The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged literally changed my life as a college student. I still have the original books which I've now read three times each.

I'll see the movie out of curiosity. I'll have low expectations since I've yet to see a movie that could come close to the original book. I'd hope that the movie may introduce a new generation to Rand's novels.

From the jacket of my copy of the book:
"....This is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man's body, but about the murder-- and rebirth-- of man's spirit. It is a philosophical revolution, told in the form of an action thriller of violent events, a ruthlessly brilliant plot structure and an irresistible suspense. Do you say this is impossible? Well, that is the first of your premises to check."

 

Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are idea stories -- the characters represent ideologies, rather than three dimensional characters.

That makes it a bit of a challenge to film, as film is a character driven medium.


As a character story, Rand's "We the Living" fared much better.
A DVD of the recovered '40s Italian films of We the Living is available on the web.
So if you're disappointed by the Atlas Shrugged film, you could try We the Living.

The add-on DVD has the story about how the film was made, banned, hidden, rediscovered, and re-edited and re-released ... and is almost as interesting as the film itself.
(One thing the WtL films had going for it was that the original screenplay was so abysmal that they threw it away and filmed from the book. )


I'm a little hesitant to shell out, what?, about ten bucks these days, to see "part 1" of AS when I'm not sure there'll be a part 2 and part 3.

Especially since it's likely to be on cable or in the discount DVD bin in a couple of months.
Even if the film was perfect, the subject would guarantee a pan from nine out of ten media critics.
At least I know the theater won't be crowded, in Obama's D.C. area.

 

I paid $8 to see the movie. I'll admit that I teared up. It is spot-on.

Taylor Schilling did a great job as Dagny Taggart. She really is almost the only hero against big government. She is only supported in the movie by Hank Rearden (CEO of Rearden Steel).

The entire audience at my theater showing gave it a standing ovation at the ending. It will a "cult classic" for anyone that has really struggled to make a small business successful. I predict that someone will make Part II and Part III.

Doc

 

How far does the movie go? I just finished part 1 in the book and I don't want to see the movie unless I know it doesn't go further than that.

 

You should read the book. Don't wait for the movie.

The movie is Part I.

Part II and III are also 10 chapters each.

P.II, VII is titled "The Moratorium on Brains". From P.II "Either-Or".

P. III "A is A" is very good reading. I can't reveal anything but P. III Chapter VII is titled "This is John Galt Speaking".

Who is John Galt?

 

I still need to see the movie, I also need to finish the book...

While her message is brilliant, she tends towards the verbose, and I often find myself scanning and missing things, then I have to go back, and by then I fall asleep.

 

lol It took me about 4 months to read the book. Partially because its such a long book and the font was small but also because I kept having to go back and reread things and by then I was to tired to really comprehend what I was reading.

I'm going to see the movie tomorrow afternoon.

 

^ That is good to hear. It is rather reassuring that there is enough interest for it to gross at that level.

 

A:
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John Gault is Batman?

 

Haha!! Batman doesn't have the family name as powerful as John Galt.

 

I am reading the book for the third time right now. I never heard about the movie until just now. I am very psyched to see it.

 

I saw it this afternoon. For it to make any sense you need to read the book first. It doesn't spend much time telling you what each character's motives are. It assumes you already know them. Quite good though.

 

The Ronald Reagan Foundation awarded "Atlas Shrugged Part 1" with its inaugural Ronald Reagan Great Communicator Award.

"The film adaptation of the novel Atlas Shrugged
highlights the principles of individual
responsibility, optimism, and freedom that
shaped Ronald Reagan's personal, professional
and political life," [Executive Director of the
foundation's Ronald Reagan Centennial
Celebration] said. "I can think of no current film
more deserving of the inaugural award as we
mark the 100th anniversary of President
Reagan's birth and reflect on the ideals that not
only influenced Ronald Reagan but an entire
generation."


http://tinyurl.com/ASPartI

 

^^ really??? Fascinating.

~~

Was noticing some reoccurring themes in part..
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sorry to say i couldn't follow the movie, i guess i need to read the book

 

Malls are so as you say.. "soul sucking"

Good description.

I'll see the movie for sure but wait 'till netflix or video comes out.

 

I read the book.
I was alittle disappointed in Rand to be honest.

I felt she "stacked the deck" too much in her favor when constructing her mega-argument about industry vs Government, and who really is responsible for "society's success." There were times when reading it I felt like "arguing back" and pointing out to her how selective she was in her characters and their actions.

The protagonists seemed to monodimensuional and antagonists too "paper tiger."

Did anyone else feel the same?

 

I'm finally going to see the movie tonight. I'll report back later.