Tasha-22

I have this movie as one of my favorites. This movie really makes a thinking person question free will, and observe how it may be interpreted as flawed by Christian fundamentalist standards. The budget with which the movie was made only serves to add more drama to the movie, stripping away any possible distractions from the highly dramatic and complex issues it presents. This is a movie that will make some really think hard about what they choose to believe and have faith in. This is a very special and unique way of looking at one religion; one I'm sure will be offensive to those who can't appreciate it's honesty and directness in presenting one perception. A movie truly great, simply for the fact that it never really deviates from it's own message, too good to be in Hollywood. Even if the movie offends, people still seem to be glad they saw it.

I have always wanted to know more about the life of Ayn Rand. I wasn't quite prepared for this type of biography, having read several of her books. I am biased in a way, because I have such a high respect for her work, so I can only comment on the movie's overall content with regards to Ms. Rand's character. This movie, unfortunately, has nothing to do with the philosophy of Objectivism. While the philosophy isn't perfect, it certainly isn't well understood by watching a movie that exploits Ms. Rand's shortcomings. If the people who made this movie were trying to discredit Objectivism, they have made progress. On the other hand, the movie sheds a lot of light on where Rand was in her life during the writing of Atlas Shrugged. I am highly disappointed that this film really gave the viewer no reason to read her work, because it's highly fascinating. Rand was known to be a stubborn and narcissistic woman, perhaps it's a good thing that more people understand her premis. But the saying goes, "take what you can use, and leave the rest". I think someone unfamiliar with her work would find this movie to be mediocre at best, but with an interesting perspective on relationships.

I love Stanley Kubrich, and was very excited when the movie came out. I was entranced through the whole movie, and it was fairly long. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. And then nothing did! I had thought the movie would build up to an interesting climax and leave me with something to remember. But just as the big climax was supposed to happen, it fizzled! I heard that Kubrich had rewritten the ending not long before it was finished. I don't mean to be cruel, but I thought he must have passed away during the making of it, because it just fizzled out and died somewhere in the last half. I am so sad that this had to be Kubrich's last film, because it had so much unused potential. I actually walked away from the theater feeling teased, like Kubrich wanted us to know just how great of a loss future film making will be without him. The sexual element of the film is more psychological than visual, and may appeal to women more than men. Still, I would advise anyone half intelligent to see this, but with the knowledge that this film is a journey and not a destination.