Will "Who is John Galt?" be the "Hope and Change" of tomorrow?

"It's us [sic] who move the world" Rex Harrison lookalike businessman of "intelligence, courage and integrity" Henry Rearden (Grant Bowler) tells his distaff counterpart Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) in "Atlas Shrugged" the movie that opens at a theater near you — if you're lucky — today.

"If Peter Ingemi [master of DaTechguyBlog] had been with us, he'd be shooting videos and interviewing members of the audience as they left the theater," we joshed as we emerged, philosophically and emotionally refreshed, from the premiere screening of "Atlas Shrugged" at the local cinema this afternoon. Taking our cue from the master, we tried a few unfilmed mini-interviews, more about which below, but first, our take:

We loved the movie — riveting, glamorous, great performances by non-celebrity actors (what a relief it is not to be distracted by knowing the performers' political views), shot in a smoky and sensually-charged style reminiscent of our fave futuristic flick, "Bladerunner." Production values to die for. The music was pitch perfect, lots of new, tempered but emotionally charged material with a little Chopin and a few echoes of the classics thrown in, most memorably the doom sounds of Saint-Saëns's Organ Symphony at one momentous point in the story. To tempt you, an example of the understated wit and wisdom that energize the script: The hero's hoity-toity, frigid (funny old-fashioned term, but it fits) wife to the sizzling heroine who is in the process of sweeping her husband off his feet:

I LOVE your dress, dear. I was just saying the other day that it was high time that designer came back in style again.

Big Hollywood Editor Jim Nolte puts things in context:

While anti-American junk has flopped at a forever-pleasing 100% rate, well-made films that speak to our values and beliefs have been almost universally embraced … With social media, especially the miracle that is Twitter, a fire can start that completely circumvents the corrupt MSM and has an immediate effect at the box office …

While we have a long way to go, there is momentum on our side and this bodes very well for “Atlas Shrugged” … You can’t say Obama’s declaring war on business, though, because when it comes to picking and choosing who will win and who will lose, Obama’s a corporatist of the first order … and that’s the theme “Atlas Shrugged” speaks to.

Best of all, the production of the movie itself is faithful to its own themes: Risk and independence mixed with a touch of bravado. Yesterday’s L.A. Times tells the incredible story of how, after two decades of trying, someone bucked the Hollywood system and just did it — just made the damn movie.

"I remember reading Ayn Rand's book as a youth [when it was first published in 1957 in the US] and being heavily influenced in my thinking of how the world works," pater familias and constitutional conservative Goomp i-mailed this morning when we told him we were about to head out to be the first on our block to see the movie, opening today at 300 theaters across the country. From the moment we entered Loew's Cinema in Danvers, MA, there was electricity in the air. The ticket taker, a self-described independent, was eager to let us know that earlier viewers had loved the film. Following the show we chatted with an audience member who knew chapter and verse of all things Rand and confided to us that his girlfriend, a liberal, had wisely stayed home. There's nothing like species recognition. Same fellow feeling amongst folks from all walks of life that we'd picked up at town halls, tea party rallies and phone banks past. On the way out of the theater we spotted a likely gentleman waiting in line at the snackbar. "Who is John Galt?" we taunted. His face lit up in the tribal signal of acknowledgement between red staters seeking the light of the Shining City here in the darkness behind enemy lines in collectivist Taxachusetts.

And that was only Part I, a real cliff hanger. "I can hardly wait for Part II," says Tuck. The question is, will "Atlas Shrugged" break out of the cult category of true believers to capture the hearts and minds of the great unwashed? Will "Who is John Galt" become the "Hope and Change" of tomorrow?

Lots more at The Atlasphere, "the social networking and dating site [!] for admirers of Ayn Rand's novels."

Update: "I believe the ideas are more relevant than ever," John Fund tells Pajamas Media's Amy Holmes (h/t Common Cents). "This is one of those books that totally changed my life," adds Stephen Moore.

Update II: Little Miss Atilla gives thumbs up:

Sisu liked it as much as I did, noting the classical architecture porn, and lovely scoring.

Crossposted at Riehl World View and Liberty Pundits.

 

 

 

Comments

[goomp]

Facing the world as it is takes courage and concentration. Let us hope we have both and take the time to see this movie and profit by its picture of truth.

[Amy]

"...philosophically and emotionally refreshed" is exactly the way I felt at 3 p.m. in Methuen. I expected the movie to be correct, but I didn't expect it to be good. Great review, Sissy. I second your emotions.

I didn't speak to any of the other 20 or so moviegoers, but I have never been so intensely curious and tuned in to those around me in a theater. Why were they there? Who were they? I could tell by audience response that we were simpatico - hated the same bad guys, loved the same good guys. (It was a bit old Hollywood that way.)

The train scene is wonderful of course, and I was fuming with rage at the union scene, but my favorite was the jewelry exchange, metal for diamonds. Such a simple, poignant moment of recognizing worth.

[Steve]

THANK YOU for posting - we've been all over this on Common Cents

[dogzilla]

Saw the film earlier today. Brilliant! Beautiful. And timely. Everyone associated with the film deserves our heartiest congratulations and thanks!

Great review, Sissy!

[Mark]

I have to see it again, because I saw it when I'm normally sleeping and was really tired. I missed the moment that Dagney took the bracelet! *bang head*

Yes, it is worth seeing again! Especially the ending!

There was a whoop from the crowd and enthusiastic applause at the end of the 10:35AM showing in KC, MO. I didn't take a head-count, but a guess would be 25-35 people - many more than I'm used to seeing at that time of day during the week for a movie.

[Carolynp]

I thought it was fantastic. Out here in Oregon, similar experience with that knowing grin on the faces of attendees.

[Eugene Garner]

Avid Atlas Shrugged fan for decades, but haven't seen the movie yet since most films don't do the book justice. However, will see it based on comments here.

Believe it or not Atlas Shrugged was a big influence in my seeing through the lies of government and the mainstream media.

Know the true meaning of our Constitution and its destruction by the oligarchy of banksters and big corporate monopolies through their special interest bribes of our elected.

Go John Galt and you too Ron Paul.