Ask the Dust
John Fante's classic novel of desire in the desert.
Colin Farrell plays Arturo Bandini, a would-be writer seeking fame, fortune, and a blue-eyed blonde in 1930s Los Angeles. Instead, he finds Mexican barmaid Camilla (Salma Hayek), who hopes to blend into Anglo society by marrying a wealthy blue-blood. With remarkable performances, stunning photography, and direction by Academy Award-winnner Robert Towne, Ask the Dust is a powerful story of two castoffs in a struggle between their ambitions and the passion that arises between them.
Member Reviews
depression era of the early 30's - barkersbeauties
Ask the Dust is a period piece and its takes place in the depression era of the early 30's and it depicts a still unspoiled Los Angels but it was curiously filmed in Cape Town South Africa. This film might have been done in black and white but the special colorization gives the film an authentic feel of that time. With lead actors Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek the acting is extremely strong . Colin Farrel, who naturally has a strong Irish accent, portrays an Italian American and successfully carries the American accent and Salma Hayek portrays a high spirited Mexican girl. This was a time when political correctness was not part of our culture and so open discrimination flourished. Italian Americans were low in the pecking but Mexicans were on an even lower pecking order.
Ask the Dust is really a love story but the relationship between Arturo ( Colin Farrell ) and Camilla ( Salma Hayek ) is very original. It is some what of refection of the times and some what reflective of the often mean spirited temperament a struggling writer coming in conflict with beautiful Mexican girl who understand her nationality hold little respect. There is some great supporting characters that greatly enhance the atmosphere and feel of the times. This is a drama that is intertwined with black humor and it is definitely not a traditional paint by number Hollywood film but it really has the feel of a entertaining original film that is well worth the view.Wasn't good - Wizard
Is this supposed to be a film noir? a romance? a slice of Americana? a drama? This is a very distorted and erratic film. It starts story lines, then drops them. It seems moody and dark, but its sensibilities are more of a romance. But the romance is disjointed and doesn't follow any discernible path. Most of the dialogue doesn't make much contribution to the film. Other than Selma Hayek's breasts, I don't see any reason to watch this clunker. Skip it.Unsympathetic and unaffecting. - Port_Moresby
Incredibly dreary, uninvolving drama set in Depression-era Hollywood. Colin Farrell plays an Italian-American writer who shows up in L.A. in the hopes of chasing the dream, but finds only a major struggle to pay the rent. When he does start to achieve some success selling his stories, he ends up feeling an even deeper unhappiness at the love-hate relationship he endures with a gorgeous Mexican waitress (Salma Hayek) who longs to move up in the world. Eventually these two get together, obviously since they’re the only really hot people in the movie (Justin Kirk doesn’t suit blond hair), but life has other plans for them. Despite the beauty of Caleb Deschanel’s perpetual-sunset photography, Chinatown screenwriter Robert Towne never manages to excite any passion from either the story or the actors, both of whom are good but never really make sparks fly. The whole thing is just one long, drawn-out crawl to the finish, and you’ll be left completely unmoved by the entire process. Also features a memorable supporting turn by Idina Menzel and appearances by Eileen Atkins and Donald Sutherland. Filmed in South Africa.
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depression era of the early 30's - barkersbeauties
Ask the Dust is a period piece and its takes place in the depression era of the early 30's and it depicts a still unspoiled Los Angels but it was curiously filmed in Cape Town South Africa. This film might have been done in black and white but the special ...Wasn't good - Wizard
Is this supposed to be a film noir? a romance? a slice of Americana? a drama? This is a very distorted and erratic film. It starts story lines, then drops them. It seems moody and dark, but its sensibilities are more of a romance. But the romance is disjointed ...Unsympathetic and unaffecting. - Port_Moresby
Incredibly dreary, uninvolving drama set in Depression-era Hollywood. Colin Farrell plays an Italian-American writer who shows up in L.A. in the hopes of chasing the dream, but finds only a major struggle to pay the rent. When he does start to achieve some ...