Posted on 02/11/2007 2:15:16 PM PST by saganite
Ayn Rand is one of the most controversial writers in modern American literature, known for her tireless advocacy of the right to selfishness and her hatred of big government. She has been derided and loved in equal measure and her books have sold millions of copies, attracting followers as diverse as banker Alan Greenspan, President Ronald Reagan and architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Her most famous book, Atlas Shrugged, has long been a target of Hollywood producers and attracted such big names as Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welch and Sharon Stone. But each project collapsed in the face of turning a 1,200-page philosophical novel into a watchable movie. Now that is to change. The latest attempt to film Atlas Shrugged is set to star Angelina Jolie in the role of Rand's railroad heiress heroine Dagny Taggart. Unlike past efforts, this one seems likely to succeed. A two-hour screenplay is almost complete and filming is to start this year with release in 2008. It is being written by Randall Wallace, who wrote the Mel Gibson epic Braveheart, and is backed by Lion's Gate Entertainment.
Atlas Shrugged is one of the most controversial books in modern literature. It is a passionate defence of Rand's belief that the world is best served when individuals act entirely in their own rational self-interest. Or, to put it more bluntly, they act selfishly. Rand, who died in 1982, founded the objectivist school of philosophy and still has millions of followers. Atlas Shrugged and another novel The Fountainhead promote her views. In financial circles Atlas Shrugged has been dubbed 'the bible of selfishness'.
(Excerpt) Read more at observer.guardian.co.uk ...
I always imagined Harrison Ford as Rearden. He does a good businessman.
I understand that you disagree with freedom.
Um, what makes you think Rand would oppose private charity, or that such charity would not be given?
Portfolio?
You mean social security isn't enough...:)
A mix, conservative investments and some speculative maybe 60/40 with a bit in precious metals to hedge against the dollar being debased...
Jolie would be better suited as Lillian Reardon.
I don't remember her addressing that in her book. Forgive me if I am wrong.
"I didn't see Vanity Fair...I personally wouldn't like her as a schemer...how about Heather Graham or something? Leave my Reese alone! LoL"
See "Vanity Fair" and your image of your sweet little Reese will be shattered. Personally I think she did a very good job in the role given the script and it's "re-working" of the orignal. It was a move I both liked and hated at the same time but NTL, she was very good in the role IMHO.
Heather Graham - Pleeze! She's not half the actress Ms. Witherspoon is.
Point taken. I still say she was a bit cold-blooded for my taste. Cheers.
Thank you and very well said.
True heartfelt, compassion comes from within and cannot be mandated by any institution and certainly not by government. When government is in the compulsory compassion business, it becomes more akin to Marxism – “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.”
ROTFLMAO!
Now for bad Hemingway..........
That may not be the worst attempt at satire ever, but it's certainly up there.
Padre never heard of Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments. Or just about any other elaboration on the subject.
"I'm a "cult follower" of STREETS OF FIRE especially the score of Ry Cooder. Great action. Great CARS. Great music."
I loved it. You never see it on cable.
It's a theme throughout Rand's writing. Rand once issued a collection of essays under the title "The Virtue of Selfishness".
http://www.objectivistcenter.org/cth--406-FAQ_Virtue_Selfishness.aspx
Well I know that! She doesn't have to be little sweet Reese. I dug her a lot in that movie Freeway. She was far from a little sweet nice girl in that one. But she was totally cool and badass and you rooted for her anyway.
Edward Norton surprised me in The Illusionist.
Rush Limbaugh ;-P
Cheers!
"Padre never heard of Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments. Or just about any other elaboration on the subject."
I've read parts of that book... it's as compelling as the "Wealth of Nations". It's to morality what "Wealth..." is to economics.
Pretty smart guy that Adam Smith!! Yet, that loser Karl Marx gets all the good press.
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