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The Spectacle Blog
Last night, along with other bloggers at the Freedom Works’ CPAC party, I got to see several scenes from the upcoming adaptation of Ayn Rand’s classic novel Atlas Shrugged. The showing was part of the producers’ effort to generate grassroots support for the film to help distribute it into theaters nationwide.
As a long-time fan of the novel and a very discriminating movie viewer, I’ll admit that I’ve had my doubts about this project all along, given its low budget and rushed production schedule. Viewing the scenes that I did – albeit a small sample size – did not assuage my early concerns.
Like the book, the film is set in the near future, though now it’s given the date of 2016. The filmmakers went for a “ripped from the headlines” type vibe, with images of the economy tanking, the country’s infrastructure collapsing, protests raging in the streets, Congress passing statist legislation, and a TV news anchor leading a panel discussion between some of the book’s characters.
The dramatic scenes were true to the book. The problem is that Rand’s characters don’t really speak like normal people, and this can be particularly jarring on film if not handled correctly. I found the dialogue in the parts between Dagny Taggart and Hank Reardon to be unnatural and their acting subpar.
I spoke with some fellow bloggers afterword who thought I was
being too harsh and others who were outright enthusiastic about
what they saw. I felt compelled to write something given the
immense interest in this film, but I’ll withhold further judgment
until I see the entire movie, which is the first of a planned
three-part series.
View all comments (9) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/02/11/cpac-bloggers-given-sneak-peak
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PJ Doland | 2.11.11 @ 9:07AM
Phil-
Take note. You are not allowed to see the full movie until we're able to get the gang together: Jeff, Kahn, CJ, etc...
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.11.11 @ 9:22AM
I hope this gets out into the theaters.. Maybe the libs will see the parallels in their own government.. but then again.. they would probably either not see the parallels or say something like, "see thats what it would be like if it weren't for our messiah, Barack Hussein"
KellyHopkinsville| 2.11.11 @ 9:24AM
Kudos for calling the film as you saw it. To rave about a movie just because it ratifies your beliefs is the opposite of critical thinking. Also: A trailer of scenes is the easiest format with which to manipulate the impression a film makes (that's why trailers are often better than the films themselves). If the producers of ATLAS couldn't impress you with their movie under these circumstances, it's a sign of deeper trouble for them and their film.
Bob K.| 2.11.11 @ 9:27AM
You have read the novel and have seen a political philosophy grow around it! Now see the Movie version! A cast of Dozens! Set in the near but foreseeable future! Hunker down in your Bunker and enjoy it with a box of gene-spliced Popcorn!
Al Adab| 2.11.11 @ 10:50AM
It is unlikely that the film will rise to the transcendant level needed to energize our society. That being said it may perhaps be an adequate "adaptation" of the set up for the novel.
What the political shock will be (I doubt if any) remains to be seen. Conservatives (do objectivists belong) are still seeking the issue, the moment and the man to combine and bring success. If the film plays a part all the better but let us not count on cultural factors but rather rely on our own organization and shoe leather to energize the Movement. It has been a long road, some fifty years, and opportunity still presents itself.
Philip Coates| 2.11.11 @ 4:44PM
Shakespeare's characters didn't speak like "normal" or average people either, so that's not a valid criticism.
I'm pretty bored with meeting John Q. Average, the "man on the street" in the movies and entertainment.
john| 2.12.11 @ 2:40PM
Why go see this movie when you can watch the very premise play out in real life!
Well, i'll probably see it anyways. Out of curiosity.
Has a movie adaptation of a book EVER been better than the book? I submit that it has never happened, and thus hold no hopes for the movie (based on the trailer) - but that aside, it would be worth my hard earned dollar to see what, after so many years, a final product would look like on the big screen.
Jake Roberts| 2.14.11 @ 12:50AM
This movie looks like dog mess.