The tinhorn film version of "Atlas Shrugged" fails to rise even to the level of "eh" suggested by Ayn Rand's title. But with so little going on in cinematic or storytelling terms, we can cut straight to the fascinating tea-stained politics of the thing.
The movie plunks the tale down in an oil-strapped 2016. This world is delivered visually with zero atmosphere or sense of energy. Without any melodramatic zing in its corner, when Rearden greets his "depraved playboy" nemesis and sexual rival with "Your reputation precedes you, Señor d'Anconia," the line, like so many others, dies a tragic little death.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/sc-mov-0413-atlas-shrugged-20110415-33,0,179159.storyBowler and Schilling, along with co-stars Michael Lerner, Jon Polito, Edi Gathegi, Patrick Fischler and Christina Pickles, are powerless to make the dialogue work, and so can only dutifully recite their lines without wincing at how stilted they sound.
The bulk of director Paul Johansson’s experience is directing episode of “One Tree Hill,” and it shows. He fails to coax his actors into properly emoting and lacks an eye for the epic scope of something like “Atlas Shrugged.” The whole affair looks like a TV movie.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/popcornbiz/Review-Atlas-Shrugged-Part-1-May-Be-the-End-of-the-Line-119912869.html---The Washington Times can only do this ---- :rofl:
The film deserves some slack given its humble origins, including a modest budget and rumors of an industry less than eager to support it. But many indie filmmakers thrive under similar constraints, making the movie’s stiff acting and oft-tortured dialogue impossible to explain away.
Marsden’s wooden performance is the biggest offender here, but he’s often paired with cagey character actors Michael Lerner and Jon Polito who save him from damaging the production.
If those traits can paper over the film’s obvious flaws then audiences may get to find out the identity of Mr. Galt at long last.
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/movies-toto/2011/apr/15/movie-review-atlas-shrugged/