Meanwhile, a mysterious figure is behind the disappearance of other pioneers like Dagny and Henry.

Together they have a plan to revolutionize rail travel, but the government and its lackeys try to squash it. Society is on the verge of collapse, largely, it is proposed, because of the jackals of conformity and mediocrity who are baying at the heels of creative, wealth-producing entrepreneurs like railroad head Dagny Taggart (the charismatic Taylor Schilling, TV's 'Mercy') and metals tycoon Henry Rearden (New Zealander Grant Bowler, 'Ugly Betty' and 'True Blood'). It's 2016 in an alternative retro-future where everything has the look of mid-20th-century modern, the Internet apparently was never invented (people still read papers!), and trains are how goods get from coast to coast. Conservatives might claim it's because of liberal Hollywood bias and, even if there's some truth to that, the other factor is that - as a film and as drama - the inert, stiffly acted and heavy handed 'Atlas Shrugged: Part 1' just isn't very compelling and isn't nearly as bracingly provocative as it is no doubt meant to be. Though, considering Rand's fervent anti-government philosophy and staunch, man-against-the-state individualism, having his labor of love open on the day when taxes are due must feel like a bit like the Academy Awards for Johansson already.īut it's doubtful Johansson will find himself honored at next year's Oscars. He has done what many over the last half century have tried and failed to do: bring at least part of Ayn Rand's 1,100-plus page 1957 epic, 'Atlas Shrugged,' to the big screen. If Oscars were given for sheer determination, then director Paul Johansson might find himself holding a golden statue.

'ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART 1' - ★★1/2 - Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler PG-13 (some sexuality) in general release

Atlas shrugged part 4