The Passion of Ayn Rand (1999)

The rather eccentric (especially in her thinking) author of "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged" becomes involved with a much younger, and married man... to the dismay of those close to her.

Director:

Christopher Menaul

Writers:

Barbara Branden (book), Howard Korder (screenplay)

Stars:

Helen Mirren, Eric Stoltz, Julie Delpy

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Helen Mirren	...	Ayn Rand
Eric Stoltz	...	Nathaniel Branden
Julie Delpy	...	Barbara Branden
Peter Fonda	...	Frank O'Connor
Sybil Darrow	...	Caroline (as Sybil Temchen)
Tom McCamus	...	Richard
Don McKellar	...	Alfred
David Ferry	...	Interviewer
Donald Carrier	...	David
Hamish McEwan	...	Henry
Elyssa Livergant	...	Naomi
Christopher Marren	...	Aaron (as Chris Marren)
Jennifer Gould	...	Janet
Robert Thomas	...	Security Guard
John Lefebvre	...	Funeral Director

Storyline

The novelist Ayn Rand engaged in an affair with a psychologist 25 years her junior by the name of Nathaniel Branden. Branden built up an institute to spread Rand's ideas, but the two eventually had a falling out. This is the story of the affair, based on the book by Branden's wife, Barbara.

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Plot Keywords:

idea | novelist | book | psychologist | author | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

La pasión de Ayn Rand

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers Entertainment Group, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based upon Barbara Branden's book with the same title.

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Goofs

Alfred Tells Nathaniel about the new book Ayn Rand is working on, "Atlas Shrugged". The working title for that book was "The Strike". It didn't become "Atlas Shrugged" until in 1956 when Rand's husband suggested that title.

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Quotes

Ayn Rand: Tell me your principles.
Nathaniel Branden: To think for myself. To reach my own conclusions. To seek truth, wherever it might lead.

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Connections

References The King of Kings (1927)

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Soundtracks

A Perfect Day / I Love You Truly
Arranged by John Godfrey & Jimmy Stewart
Provided by Associated Production Music

User Reviews

Just a correction

I saw this film three times (but then, I see many films more than once), and if I were to rate it, I'd give it 7-8 (out of 10), for its artistic merits. I knew nothing about Ayn Rand before seeing this film, and it piqued my curiosity. (I then discovered that "The Fountainhead", a very good piece of cinematic work, was based on her book.) But I am basically writing this only to correct what a reviewer said (back in September 2001), quite emphatically and with considerable reasoning behind the statement: that Ayn Rand shouldn't have been portrayed by an "American actress". She wasn't. The role of Ayn Rand was played by Helen Mirren, a truly great British actress. Moreover, Ms. Mirren herself is of Russian extraction, just as Ayn Rand was.