On reflection, I suppose she deserves some credit for achieving success as an author writing in her second language. But then again, others did it (and do it) so much better.

I blame MrsD. who picked it up as an installment in a Peter Fonda film festival. Well, not really, I willingly watched.

It was in some respects a fascinating glimpse into the formation of a cult, in a land overripe for such a thing to form. Although unduly reverential of her (alleged) intellect, the film gave equal time to her manipulative, vindictive bitch and deranged fanatic sides as well. There was even a scene of her giving a speech in which she delivers an apologia of the Third Reich ('they had some good ideas...'). I have to say though it wasn't one of Mirren's more inspired performances. Peter Fonda was, well, Peter Fonda. The romance part was very much of the 3rd-rate soap opera variety.

I had a look for a trailer. There's a TV thing which just covers one scene of HM delivering an OTT rant and another snippet that's a rather nice recording of Mac the Knife by Ella Fitzgerald over some scenes from the film. 

I imagine it was difficult to portray Ayn Rand with any sympathy. Nothing in her writing is particularly interesting and although she appears to have had an interesting life, it was a life lived by a dull person. I took a look at her Wikipedia entry. If that is correct then she is something of a top favourite amongst the right-wing in US Government and various associated institutes and think-tanks. It reminds me of the success of the philosopher Karl Popper amongst scientists. He flatters them. The fact that what he writes about is patently wrong doesn't matter. He paints such a flattering picture of the honest, logical world of science that he is guaranteed success.

"a top favourite amongst the right-wing in US Government and various associated institutes and think-tanks"

Anarcho-capitalism attracts billionaire $$$ like flies.