• About Kathy Shaidle
  • Kathy Shaidle: Donate
  • Kathy Shaidle: Privacy policy

5 Feet of Fury

Kathy Shaidle's blog. Est. 2000

“The Fountainhead” (1949) is the anti-“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)

July 16, 2017 By Kathy Shaidle

Why watch a movie about a failed architect surrounded by losers (#UncleBillyMustDie)  when you can watch this cool looking Ayn Rand adaptation instead?

Of course, THESE people hate it:

The Fountainhead begins in a universe that does not, nor ever has, existed. It’s a universe where people constantly tell you they hate you because you’re original. You know how, when you’re a kid, you tell yourself that anyone who doesn’t like something you’ve done is just jealous? Well, in The Fountainhead‘s universe, that’s actually true and people will tell you that to your face. They will tell you they don’t like your new building design because it’s too good, and you’re a genius, and civilization will crumble if men are allowed to think for themselves.

Except for the part where this has actually happened to me. 

Anyhow:

Ayn Rand became famous for the philosophies outlined in her books and her screenplay puts them on full display. Roark can destroy anything he makes, even if paid and contracted by someone else to do it. His arguments at the end win his freedom in Rand’s universe but in any other, he would have been laughed out of the courtroom while the judge asked, “You’re joking, right?” Her screenplay is filled with ludicrous setups, condoned rape, and sexual innuendo blunt enough to seem sophomoric to a fifth grader. And yet, its very outlandishness also makes it eminently watchable. When Francon rides that elevator up to her demi-god, Roarke, in the final shot, Rand’s notion of the self-serving individual is on full display. Roarke has beaten everyone by standing his ground and now the woman who thought she might best him is riding up to meet him. He lowers himself for no one, not even the woman who loves him.

More from my site

  • Blogging resumes Monday morning…Blogging resumes Monday morning…
  • Ezra Levant outraged by judge’s bizarre treatment of imprisoned pro-lifer (must-see VIDEO)Ezra Levant outraged by judge’s bizarre treatment of imprisoned pro-lifer (must-see VIDEO)
  • Toronto: cries of ‘Allahu Akbar’ ring out at Tarek Fatah’s no-showToronto: cries of ‘Allahu Akbar’ ring out at Tarek Fatah’s no-show
  • Taxpayer complains about anti-Catholic chatter on CBC site — guess how that went?Taxpayer complains about anti-Catholic chatter on CBC site — guess how that went?

Filed Under: Kathy Shaidle

« It’s not “racist” if it’s true: Malcolm Gladwell once again rips off Vdare.com 15 years later
Jim Goad: “Should It Be a Crime to Hurt Allah’s Feelings?” »
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in