Eric Stoltz

The Passion of Ayn Rand
$9.98
This Showtime film takes up the life of Ayn Rand from chapter 20 in Barbara Branden's biography of the same title. The director and screen writers have effectively transmitted the turn from naive hero worship of Rand that Barbara and her boyfriend Nathaniel experienced in the late 1940s to the subsequent stormy love affair between Rand and Nathaniel with its consequences in the lives of Frank O'Connor (Rand's husband) and Barbara, who had married Nathaniel. When the affair started, Rand was in the middle of writing her magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged, a philosophical novel about unstinting individualists who love whom they will on the way to creating the world they want.

Julie Delpy fairly portrays Barbara's "descent into hell" (to borrow from a Doris Lessing title) of psychological intimidation and manipulation and its breeding of guilt, but Helen Mirren appropriately dominates the screen, mastering Rand's intensity down to detailed mannerisms that conform not only to Barbara's account but to filmed interviews. (For excerpts from these interviews and more, see Michael Paxton's "Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life," DVD, 2004, available on Amazon.) Whereas Delpy gives us a woman in tune with social dynamics (including jealousy) as well as ideas, Mirren shows a single-minded pursuit of personal goals that easily ignores the existence of others, a kind of "blanking out" of social reality (to borrow an epithet that Rand frequently used). In the scene where Rand negotiates her affair with Nathaniel in the presence of Frank and Barbara, Mirren's voice, face, and body move inexorably from her assumption that everyone will accept her simple moral calculus--what's best for her must be good for all--to mild indignation that the others cannot see with her clarity what is in her/their best interest. Mirren, like Rand, is in control.

Peter Fonda's Frank O'Connor is subdued, sometimes stiff, sometimes baffled, the repressed husband described in the bio. In a scene showing all four walking on a sidewalk, director Menaul has Frank slightly behind the group, ceding the right of way to another pedestrian heading in the opposite direction. Frank seems to take a fatherly interest in Barbara, distantly reminiscent of Jean Val Jean and Cosette. Fonda carries the sense of repression well, showing Barbara kindness and Rand forbearance. Eric Stoltz does an effective job of creating the mixed emotions of a man more in love with ideas than with people, until he finds someone younger, not quite so bright, that he can control without effort.

The supporting cast of easily intimidated businessmen (men only) and easily awed young intellectuals (mostly men but some women) accurately conveyed how hangers on can become sycophants or be driven to despair by the presence of charismatic people. When reason is a weapon to inculcate agreement rather than a tool for building understanding, second-hand parroting can often substitute for real thought. One of these characters works as a screenwriter and must compromise to keep his job, and Mirren's contempt for him is vivid and excruciating. ("Contempt" is an attitude high in the Randian social repertoire, and Mirren picked up on it well.)

The opening and closing New York skyline scenes recall Rand's fascination with the distinctive tall buildings of American modern architecture, but the nightscape hints at the darkness of the story, which is more sad than poignant. The jazz score adds to this feeling, underscoring the Bohemian mood of New York in the 50s and early 60s. This film has little room for what Rand called the "tiddly-wink" music that she relaxed to, though the Blue Danube Waltz gives some of the exhilaration that she must have felt when she was in control. (Rachmaninov, one of her favorites for "serious" music, may have been either too subtle or too bombastic for this film.)

And now for a small quibble...

Although Showtime should be commended for making this film, they also undercut the story on the back of the DVD by saying Rand had a "bizarre love life." Though the Victorians were scandalized by Dickens's and Hugo's affairs with much younger women, few today would care; apparently an older woman writer needing a younger man to stay inspired still seems "bizarre" to our Victorian holdovers.

Some Kind of Wonderful (Special Collector's Edition)
$12.98
John Hughes proves he still had the right stuff to make a superb movie about teenagers with 1987's "Some Kind of Wonderful". Eric Stolz stars as Keith, a sensitive artistic kid from the wrong side of the tracks, who works after school as an auto mechanic and who has a monumental crush on pretty and popular classmate Amanda (Lea Thompson). Mary Stuart Masterson is pitch perfect as tough tom boy Watts, Keith's best friend.

Keith decides to ask Amanda out, a daring act which cuts against the grain of his social standing, the advice of the horrified Watts, and the warning of Amanda's angry former boyfriend Hardy (Craig Sheffer). The rest of the movie is the gutsy Keith's preparation for his date with destiny (and Amanda). Watts helps out, if only to save the dreamy Keith from himself. Keith will also get an unexpected assist from a tough kid he befriends in detention.

Hughes and Director Howard Deutch have the sensitive touch to portray three-dimensional young people with real hopes and fears, without drowning the audience in schmaltz. The conclusion of the movie manages to be dramatic, insightful,and romantic all at the same time. "Some Kind of Wonderful" is still all that, and very highly recommended to fans of John Hughes' other movies, such as "The Breakfast Club".

Ascend: The Catholic Faith for a New Generation
$24.95
Ascend: The Catholic Faith for a New Generation is a contemporary, scripture-rich, and dramatically visual exploration of the Catholic faith for young adults. With its engaging style, full-color graphics, and interesting sidebar articles, Ascend covers the basics of Christianity from a viewpoint that is Catholic yet ecumenically minded. There are chapter profiles on Christian role models from both ancient and modern times, and informative discussions of contemporary events from a Christian perspective. Discussion questions and book recommendations are included for each chapter; there is also an extensive glossary. Though oriented to young adults, Ascend provides an overview of Christianity that will appeal to all ages, Christians and non-Christians alike.

Hi-Life
$14.98
This is a GREAT little indie. It has a fairly simple plot which sends the characters running around NYC one night at Christmas time - each with his or her own misunderstanding of what is going on. The dialogue is warm and witty and the actors are wonderful. There is not one bad perfomance in this film. Campbell Scott and the late Katrin Cartlidge make a very enagaging duo as they spar and flirt their way through the evening. Eric Stoltz is a great warm-hearted heel and Kelly gets a chance to deliver some great one-liners and zingers that give her character a real zest. This is the kind of small, sweet, funny film that doesen't get made that often and when they do - rarely this well. Spend and hour and a half with this one and make some new friends. I have honestly ended up curled up on the couch watching this more times than I ever imagined. Get it!