Just got home. Here in Houston we are experiencing “Chamber of Commerce” weather. The kind of beautiful, blue sky, no-sweat spring day where the last place anyone should want to be is inside a movie theater. There were only about 15 people in the theater with us. I’m typing this while sitting outside to make up for the outdoor hours traded to see the movie.
The movie is really good, and great at times. I was very nervous about the quality of acting, having seen the two preview scenes. I think it’s safe to say that if you’ve seen the clip in which Dagny confronts the Union boss in her office, you’ve seen the worst bit of acting in the entire movie. The rest of the acting is fair to good, and in the climactic scene, Taylor Schilling invoked a sense of horror that completely makes up for her earlier miscues. Special kudos to Rebecca Wisocki’s splendid bitchiness as Lillian.
Acting aside, it’s hard to find any real nits worth picking. I think they spent a bit too long in showing the detective work by Dagny and Hank trying to track down the inventor of the engine, and some of party scenes are too long and laborious. (The director might have been thirsty while filming, as there are quite a few tight shots featuring the pouring and drinking of champagne, wine, and liquor.)
There’s a reverent adherence to the tone and dialogue of the book. It would have been very easy for them to paint Mouch and company as caricature villains to hammer the movie-goer over the head with the idea that these are bad guys, but the filmmakers resisted the urge to simplify their complex dealings.
All in all, it’s remarkable that a movie this good was made in only a few weeks with a minimal budget. I give it 3 out of 4 railroad spikes. I definitely recommend it to fans of the book.
Carlos.
Awww, only 15 people, that’s a shame!! Thanks for the review, can’t say I disagree. About the drinking, I was thinking it was kind of showing the decadence and debauchery a little, like something out of a Fitzgerald novel in the 1920’s... Well, some just party and drink while others keep working?
Three out of four railroad spikes, I love it.