Ayn Rand

I didn't sense any Randian themes. Were there any?

i'm quite the opposite. i don't enjoy ayn rand very much, but i loved the film.

Uh, as I understood it Tony Takitani was a pretty brutal attack on consumerism, the spiritual emptiness of materialism and the tragedy of Late Stage Capitalism in Japan. Hardly Randian.

I'm not going to debate the problems or virtues of Rand's philosophy (if we choose to call it that). I have mixed feelings myself. And while I never would have connected this story to Objectivism myself, I can see how an Objectivist might. Tony's interest in drawing is in the purely technical. Every detail is perfect, but the artists see it as "cold" and "uninspired." Though it's de-emphasized in the film, the story tells us how the music Tony's father plays is 1940s jazz, "it wasn't art but it made people feel good." Again, practicality over sentiment. And of course both Tony and his father come to material wealth as a result of their pursuits. I think thats about as far as it goes, though. The emphasis on emotion (particularly sorrow) is decidedly un-Randian, IMO. While I don't know that it's actually a criticism of consumerism, the story about Tony's wife's shopping addiction isn't really in keeping with Rand's ideals (although I guess she's not supporting herself, so she's not a "prime-mover"??)

I dont know. Interesting to think about.

there's no place you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.