The Passion of Ayn Rand (film)

The Passion of Ayn Rand is a 1999 television film directed by Christopher Menaul. It is based on the book of the same name by Barbara Branden (one of Rand's former associates and Nathaniel Branden's first wife). The screenplay is written by Howard Korder and Mary Gallagher.

The Passion of Ayn Rand
DVD cover
Directed byChristopher Menaul
Produced byPeter Crane
Linda Curran Wexelblatt
Screenplay byHoward Korder
Mary Gallagher
Based onThe Passion of Ayn Rand
by Barbara Branden
StarringHelen Mirren
Eric Stoltz
Julie Delpy
Peter Fonda
Music byJeff Beal
CinematographyRon Orieux
Edited byDavid Martin
Distributed byShowtime
Release date
May 30, 1999
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film stars Helen Mirren as philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand, who engages in an affair with Nathaniel Branden, played by Eric Stoltz, a psychologist who is 25 years younger than she is. Branden built up an institute to spread Rand's ideas, but the two eventually had a falling-out. The film also stars Julie Delpy as Branden's wife Barbara and Peter Fonda as Rand's husband Frank O'Connor.

The Passion of Ayn Rand received moderately positive reviews from critics.[1]

Cast
Actor Role
Helen MirrenAyn Rand
Eric StoltzNathaniel Branden
Julie DelpyBarbara Branden
Peter FondaFrank O'Connor
Tom McCamusRichard

Reception

Critical reception

Based on reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating from critics of 80%, with an average score of 6.8/10.[2] Writing in Variety, David Kronke called the film "an ambitious, visually sumptuous attempt to depict a bizarre element of a controversial personality's life".[3] Kronke went on to say, "Unfortunately, its insistence on maintaining a detached point of view towards its characters – or, rather, no point of view at all, as the filmmakers seem reticent to offend either Rand fans or detractors – renders it dramatically inert."[3]

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
1999 Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Helen Mirren Won[4]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Peter Fonda Nominated[5]
2000 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Peter Fonda Won[6]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Helen Mirren Nominated[7]
PGA Awards Television Producer of the Year Award in Longform Peter Crane, Linda Curran Wexelblatt, Marilyn Lewis, Irwin Meyer, Steven Hewitt Nominated[8]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Helen Mirren Nominated[9]
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Peter Fonda Nominated[9]

References
  1. Vagg, Stephen (October 26, 2019). "Peter Fonda – 10 Phases of Acting". Filmink.
  2. "The Passion of Ayn Rand". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  3. Kronke, David (May 24, 1999). "The Passion of Ayn Rand". Variety. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  4. Elber, Lynn (September 13, 1999). "'Ally,' 'Practice' grab top honors at Emmy awards". Ventura County Star. Associated Press. p. A01.
  5. "Emmy's Final Cut". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Associated Press. July 23, 1999. p. C7.
  6. Tourtellotte, Bob (January 24, 2000). "Family dramas top Golden Globe Awards". The Seattle Times. Seattle Times Company. Reuters. p. E1.
  7. The Hamilton Spectator staff (January 20, 2000). "The 57th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations". The Hamilton Spectator. p. D12.
  8. McNary, Dave (January 20, 2000). "Golden noms named: Producers Guild taps pix, series for honors". Variety. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  9. The Washington Post staff (March 12, 2000). "Screen Actors Guild Awards". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. Y4.
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