The Passion of Ayn Rand

While seeing Ayn Rand (Helen Mirren) bent over a desk engaged in a bit of decidedly non-philosophical love play will be a bit jarring to those who have actually seen footage of the diminutive Russian-born mother of objectivism espousing her defense of capitalism, this Showtime Original film about the novelist/philosopher's 15-year affair with oily protégé Nathaniel Brandon (Eric Stoltz) is a cut above most cable fare. Julie Delpy and Peter Fonda play Nate and Ayn's leftovers, respectively, who unhappily agree to let their spouses engage in regular meetings of the minds (and more southern parts of the anatomy). Christopher Menaul's sure-handed direction, solid acting turns (especially from the alternately icy/fiery Mirren) and a nice jazz score make this cerebral sex opera a consistently entertaining watch. The extras on this handsomely mastered disc include an interview with Barbara Branden (upon whose book the film is based). Recommended. (R. Pitman)