This movie has been sitting at the bottom of my Netflix queue for a year now, but my interest was piqued by last week’s discussion. It’s a fairly straightforward two and a half hour documentary about the life of Ayn Rand. While it only touches briefly on her controversies it doesn’t quite ignore them altogether. I would’ve liked to see something a bit more neutral, it’s pretty obvious the filmmaker and interviewees are enamored. I doubt some of these people would’ve given an interview otherwise.
The most valuable part of the film is all the great footage of her on old tv shows, and watching her maintain composure in sometimes bizarre interviews. It’s interesting to hear about her career struggles, particularly in her screenplays. I also was hoping for an appearance by Alan Greenspan, and more on her testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. McCarthyism was basically white-washed over though, and like her books the film focuses on painting a tale of heroism.
I sound like such a huge Randian commenting on all your Rand posts, but you’re really right about this film - it’s good, even though a bit biased.
Have you seen The Passion of Ayn Rand? It’s a fictionalized version of her affair with Nathaniel Braden, and it’s interesting. Helen Mirren plays Rand.
I haven’t seen it, but it’s also in my Netflix queue. I seem to recall reading something somewhere that there was a HBO or Showtime special about her and Alan Greenspan. Is this the same thing or am I thinking of something different?
I can’t wait to watch this anyhow, because I love Helen Mirren!