Atlas Shrugged: Who Is John Galt?

The three-part film version of Ayn Rand's massive novel ends with a whimper—and, yet again, with an entirely new cast, director (James Manera) and writers (Manera and producers Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro, the latter two the only names to appear in the credits for all three parts). The first two parts (released in 2011 and 2012, respectively) were decent enough, given the circumstances—low budgets and Rand's wooden characters and polemical dialogue—but this third installment makes a huge belly flop into the pool. Even Rand's admirers will be shaking their heads in dismay. The narrative is almost incomprehensible, the sermonizing more indigestible than ever, and the whole thing Scotch-taped together with long speeches from a narrator who just won't shut up. As protagonists Dagny Taggart and John Galt, Laura Regan and Kristoffer Polaha make no impression.