It is in my opinion that the overall theme for the film was; “stay true to yourself,” or “Don’t compromise who you are.”
These are made evident all through the entire film. In every act of the film protagonist’s character is put to the test. He faces a choice of whether or not to conform his style to that of others and gain success by selling out his ideas or stay an unsuccessful architect. This is evident early on in the film when the protagonist is forced out of school for creating designs that were completely his own. In the second act his character is put to the test when Gail Wynand asks him to build his home in a predetermined fashion. After standing up for his ideals Gail approves of Roark’s designs. Lastly Roark’s character is put to the test when a design of his is built with alterations. Roark sets out to demolish the abomination to his design and is successful in his endeavor. All these are clear instances of a theme that is in line with “Don't compromise who you are.”
“The Fountainhead is very clear as to what it's theme is. As for its genre “Drama,” is the category it best falls into. With an “all or nothing” love plot and extreme changes in some characters these best attribute to a drama genre category of film.
“The Fountainhead”
In my own production design of “The Fountainhead,” I would go with with a noire style of film. In a reimagining from 1945 the story would be taking place in a futuristic setting where inner space travel is a common practice. I feel a noire style of film would help portray the vast darkness of the setting which is space. With a theme as