ATLAS SHRUGGED begins shooting; new cast and director signed at the last minute
ATLAS SHRUGGED is a project I've been following for some time now. The film adaptation of the epochal novel has been in and out of development for the last twenty years. My interest began when I first finished the novel when I was still in high school. Since then, I've reread the book. On the one hand, I now detest the book and its followers. On the other, I'm incredibly curious to see how someone can actually make it into a movie.
According to Variety, filming has started on the ATLAS SHRUGGED movie. Not only that, but they've picked a really interesting cast. Check it out, after the break.
Before I launch into my tirade, I might as well deliver the facts. The movie is shooting and they've got a director. Paul Johansson of One Tree Hill is tasked with directing, as well as starring, in the movie. In addition to his work behind the camera, Johansson will also play the film's lead role - John Galt. Also starring in the film is Taylor Schilling as Dagny Taggart and Grant Bowler as Hank Rearden.
In most of my news posts, I try to keep a positive light. When reading my interpretations of movie news, I tend to radiate optimism. And yet, there isn't a single ounce of good that can come from this adaptation. The book is a massive 1,200 pages. Much of it is full of dry dialogue, including a 30 page speech delivered by Galt himself. In addition, the characters are bland and boring; they all share the same single personality trait - they are hard-working. Above all, the lead characters emphasize success in everything they do. Failure is not an option. They hate collective activity and groan at the notion of the common good.
In short, the book is a piece full of radical psychobabble that espouses a juvenile ideology. Lunatics and revolutionaries have clung to this book, ignorant of its piss-poor writing and uninteresting characters. For God's sake, the woman boils down love to a free market exchange of goods. So long as the film adaptation remains faithful to the book's themes and arguments, I can't possibly see this being any good. Expect Grover Norquist to be first in line for this inevitable trash heap.
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