The New Orleans Disaster and the Line on 'John Galt'

Box Office Mojo ^ | 9/2/2005 | Scott Holleran

[Colonel Kangaroo]

The New Orleans Disaster and the Line on 'John Galt' September 2, 2005

"...It was supposed to be a light column about this and that, with a brief update on a movie adaptation of my favorite novel, Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged..."

[LS]

No. Too skinny. Really. I get the sense of Dagny as a fairly "cut" woman, along the lines of a larger Linda Hamilton in "Terminator 2."

If Kim Cattrall were to "Bowflex" for about six months, she might pull it off.

[RobFromGa]

let the ayn rand ping list know...

[FreeKeys]

Sorry for the delay; been workin'!

[Publius]

Larry Linville. ROTFLMAO! A brilliant casting coup, and he'd be perfect for the part! Frank Burns running a railroad.

If only he were still alive.

[Buck W.]

Anthem is on the required reading list at our PUBLIC high school.

[FreeKeys]

Seen this post?

[bvw]

Well, New Orleans has many of the hallmarks of the anti-Galt's Gulch. The Bizzaro World to Ayn Rand's supermen.

[FreeKeys]

Objectivism regards altruism as being immoral. I would hardly consider that Christian.

You're correct, but with some necessary qualifications: Objectivism regards BENEVOLENCE as moral, but altruism -- as it was originally defined when the word was invented by Kant and Comte -- as immoral. Why? Because altruism was supposed to be COMPULSORY -- and THAT'S what dictators and less-brutal politicians have always used it as in the almost 200 years since the word was invented, and THAT'S why Objectivists object to it. As a wise man once said, "Compassion comes from the heart, not the government."

[Ichneumon]

I hate to tell you, but this movie is going to be awful. Think about it. Atlas Shrugged is not exactly an action-packed roller coaster. It is basically a dramatized philosophical manifesto. The characters can't be made believable; the book's chronological setting is irrelevant; the subjects are out-of-date (railroads, steel, and mining?). The sad truth is, not very much happens. And what little DOES happen will be hard to translate to a visual medium.

I'm not sure I agree. I found the book to be full of dramatic twists and turns. Unlike most 800+ page novels, it never spent 100+ pages delving into some character's irrelevant college days or whatever -- all the scenes kept the story moving, and no one scene dragged on for scores of pages. Okay, with the exception of Galt's final radio address, but... That part can be condensed for film purposes. I was impatient to get through that part when I first read the novel, because the author had left the resolution of the climax "hanging" all during it, but the subsequent times I've read it I really "got into" it, because it details the important observations which underlie both the book, and socialism in general -- it's a handy reminder of all the ways that socialism tries to creep into free societies, and why it needs to be resisted.

As for real "action scenes", there are quite a number that qualify, and even the purely plot-driven drama keeps things hopping. And if you think audiences will necessarily be bored without shootouts and explosions, note the popularity of such dramas as "Law and Order", which manage to keep the audience on the edge of their seats using just investigative discoveries, courtroom maneuvers, and trial outcomes.

[rlmorel]

I agree, but I admit I am a big fan of her brand of self sufficiency.

And THIS situation just begs for self sufficiency.

[rlmorel]

I'm not. I do not agree with the "worship of the holy dollar", but I like the concept of everyone having to contribute in some way that benefits others.

[rlmorel]

I think Jurgen Prochnow (Captain of the U-Boat in "Das Boot" would be a good choice for Hank Reardon. Or maybe even Liam Neelson.

Zeta-Jones is too pretty. I think Jody Foster might work in that role.

[InterceptPoint]

But Dagny Taggart is a toughie: she has to be capable, yet feminine, tough and late-30s/early 40s, yet not matronly.

Easy. Ashley Judd.

[Mad Dawgg]

"There are many Chrisitian objectivists.

Here sir!

[FreeKeys]

But Dagny Taggart is a toughie: she has to be capable, yet feminine, tough and late-30s/early 40s, yet not matronly.

Think Heather Locklear as a brunette. Besides, she's philosophically in favor of capitalism, speaking as she has at Republican rallies in the Woodland Hills area. I wouldn't want moonbat hollyweirdos out doing promotional tours and talk shows while undercutting the theme of the movie. In fact, think of an all-free-marketeer cast: Tom Selleck, James Woods, Edward Herrmann, Kurt Russell, Clint Eastwood, John Larroquette, Bruce Willis, David Ruprecht, J.J. Walker, Denis Leary, Russell Means ... know any more?

[Moonman62]

That sounds great in theory, but judging from the posts of people who consider themselves objectivists or something similar, they are pretty much "live and let die" types. I don't think many of them make the distinction between altruism and benevolence.

[FreeKeys]

but judging from the posts of people who consider themselves objectivists or something similar, they are pretty much "live and let die" types. I don't think many of them make the distinction between altruism and benevolence.

Then I have no more use for those types than I do for the control freaks who want to force everyone to make the contributions they or the majority or Allah or "the common good" or whoever specifies.

[Misterioso]

Where do you get your information about Objectivists? Or are you just talking off of the top of your head? Just curious.

[FreeKeys]

For the record, however, I have met several Ayn Rand fans who are truly good people; I don't know whether they call themselves "Objectivists" or not though.

[muir_redwoods]

"....irrational aggresive athesim,"

As opposed to reasoned inert superstition?