The film is glorious to look at. The set design, lighting and cinematography are a wholly satisfying mashup of German Expressionism, mid century modernism and some Art Deco thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, it's all in service of a pretty terrible film.
Yes, it's Ayn Rand, and many will be put off by her the hell with the greater good selfishness she pompously calls objectivism. I was but that's not the problem I have with the film. Rather, it's the overblown, pretentious dialogue delivered by characters who forgot they they're supposed to be humans rather than just archetypes in a morality tale. It didn't have to be that way. It could have been an interesting film exploring a controversial idea. But, alas, it wasn't. Perhaps getting Rand to write the screenplay wasn't the best of ideas.
Yes, it's Ayn Rand, and many will be put off by her the hell with the greater good selfishness she pompously calls objectivism. I was but that's not the problem I have with the film. Rather, it's the overblown, pretentious dialogue delivered by characters who forgot they they're supposed to be humans rather than just archetypes in a morality tale. It didn't have to be that way. It could have been an interesting film exploring a controversial idea. But, alas, it wasn't. Perhaps getting Rand to write the screenplay wasn't the best of ideas.