"Atlas Shrugged" is Headed to the Theater

The movie "Atlas Shrugged" will finally open on April 15, 2011. The film has been nearly two decades in coming. Liberal Hollywood threw roadblocks in the way of the movie's production at every juncture. That eventually caused Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, early proponents of the film, to abandon the project.

Based on the 1957 novel written by Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged" has components of the real world as well as science fiction. Then it adds in a little intrigue, mystery and mayhem for good measure. On the surface that sounds like something Hollywood would lap up, which begs an obvious question. "Why didn't they want this film made?"

The answer may not be as simple as some would have you believe. Yet there appears to be a bit of truth hidden deep in the center of it all. "Atlas Shrugged" explores about what might happen if a government goes unchecked. It is the very question that many Americans have dared to raise in the past couple of years.

Some believe the book's anti-society theme offends the far left, which is in league with the current government. It exposes their highbrow opinion that average citizens are too stupid to know what is best for them. Based on that belief, they decide to save everyone by taking over nearly every aspect of business and industry. The powers-that-be are aided by a bought-and-paid-for media that screams bias against any source that doesn't spout the party line.

Businesses begin closing at an alarming rate. Government lackeys man those that are kept open, as average citizens lose their jobs and disappear. The government controls almost everything of import, including simple transportation. That is until one railroad executive opens her eyes to what is taking place and decides to stand against the tide.

She is not alone. There is another remarkable man who may hold the key to stopping the move forward. The enigmatic anti-hero, John Galt, may have the power to reach into the sleeping minds of the people to flip on a long-dead switch. That could ultimately lead to a resurgence of creativity that even the government couldn't hope to stop.

Some argue that Rand's book is nothing more than a manifesto meant to claim man's right to do whatever he can do improve his own life. If that is the case, then perhaps such theories, believed radical, will lead to death at the box office. On the other hand, in a time when Americans are beginning to question the loss of their inalienable rights, this movie might be able to finally stir a sleeping giant.

Moviegoers might stay away in droves, not caring about a book that was written a half-century ago. Others may opt out because the movie is being shot in a series, rather than as a one-time dose. Having to wait for subsequent chapters could sink the film before it even begins.

However, the odds seem to be with this movie. "Atlas Shrugged" is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. In the wake of ever-growing Libertarian and Tea Party movements, it might finally find the audience it has longed for. We'll just have to wait and see.

"Atlas Shrugged" stars Paul Johansson and Taylor Schilling. Johansson also directs. Ayn Rand, John Aglialoro and Brian Patrick O'Toole write the screenplay. See a cliphere .

RESOURCES:

Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB)
Atlas Shrugged, The Movie