The Passion of Ayn Rand (film)

The Passion of Ayn Rand
DVD cover
GenreBiographical drama
Based onThe Passion of Ayn Rand
by Barbara Branden
Screenplay by
Directed byChristopher Menaul
Starring
Music byJeff Beal
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Irwin Meyer
  • Marilyn Lewis
Producers
CinematographyRon Orieux
EditorDavid Martin
Running time104 minutes
Production companyProducers Entertainment Group
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseJanuary 27, 1999 (1999-01-27)

The Passion of Ayn Rand is a 1999 American biographical drama television film directed by Christopher Menaul and written by Howard Korder and Mary Gallagher, based on the 1986 book of the same name by Barbara Branden.

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 premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 1999, and aired on Showtime on May 30, 1999. It received moderately positive reviews from critics.[1]

Cast

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Production

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Filming took place in Toronto.[2]

Release

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The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 1999.[2] It aired on Showtime on May 30, 1999.[3]

Reception

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Critical reception

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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.[4] 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

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Year Award Category Nominee Result
1999 Emmy Awards[1] Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Helen Mirren Won
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Peter Fonda Nominated
2000 Golden Globe Awards[5] Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Peter Fonda Won
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Helen Mirren Nominated
PGA Awards[6] Television Producer of the Year Award in Longform Peter Crane, Linda Curran Wexelblatt, Marilyn Lewis, Irwin Meyer, Steven Hewitt Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards[7] Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Helen Mirren Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Peter Fonda Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Vagg, Stephen (October 26, 2019). "Peter Fonda – 10 Phases of Acting". Filmink.
  2. ^ a b Harvey, Dennis (February 2, 1999). "The Passion of Ayn Rand". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Kronke, David (May 24, 1999). "The Passion of Ayn Rand". Variety. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  4. ^ "The Passion of Ayn Rand". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  5. ^ "Winners & Nominees 2000". Golden Globes. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "Producers Guild of America announces nominations for Golden Laurel Awards". Producers Guild. January 19, 2000. Archived from the original on December 15, 2001. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  7. ^ "6th Annual SAG Awards - Nominees & Recipients". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
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