Ask the Dust (2006)

Overrated

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Admirable film.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Poor man Bandini, all these little pigs who party all day and night long in L.A., and no one do not even invite him ! There are undoubtedly many of the small details, and that nobody really notices in this story...In fact one very great adaptation of a classic of the American literature, about which I would have only modestly that very few things to be said. Black thriller (and still), not without cynicism, the intrigue tells the story of a poor guy gone up to Los Angeles to succeed and who meets a poor girl lost by her own charm... Except that in this case, it is exactly the heroine who wins the emotional prize. Even if the fact is that the vamp Camilla Lopez, who is really beautiful to her part, is in love with an other one - what will be in a way eventually fatal to her - this protagonist is higher - in colors, more alive and unpredictable than Arturo Bandini, who is in the case of the kind to be thought of being able to obtain everything by paying invoice or grocery note. Furthermore, it is certain that his disenchanted comments, otherwise sometimes precious, may sometimes embarrass the reader.Finally whether Bandini, this author (who becomes suddenly successful and recognized) touches us, Ask the dust contains filigrame of this overflowing crudeness that we just love all somewhere although we say it and which often belongs anyway to the reality, also while giving a good place to the outsiders - what is very considerable. Finally if the book is also representative of a time(period), let us admit that it remains filled with the truth otherwise of optimism, while being also totally deprived of any stinginess either of this easy well-to-do and misplaced vanity and do-it-yourself-for-a-bestseller stuff whom we shall see moreover only more in many of these works of today! John Fante is an immense writer, and of course, the book is way better than the movie.

Set in the depression era, 'Ask the Dust' follows the story of a young aspiring Italian-American writer who gradually falls for a feisty immigrant waitress. The best thing about 'Ask The Dust' is Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek. Not only do they share an electric chemistry but their scenes together are the highlight of the film because of their restrained performances. Their scenes are a delight to watch.The film could have easily ended up being like a telenovella or soap opera but the two actors play their parts naturally and writer/ director Robert Towne manages to avoid romantic clichés as he lets the relationship flourish on screen. Even the love scene is suitably 'delayed' and brilliantly executed. The photography is beautiful. One of the best scenes is when Arturo and Camilla run towards the waves. While both are completely naked, the director manages to maintain the innocence of that scene without throwing in clichés.If only the film had more room for the story to develop. Many of the subplots and even the ending appeared rushed. The supporting characters, like Sutherland's Helfrick and Menzel's Rifkin, although interesting (and performed brilliantly) are poorly written. The political message that 'Ask The Dust' tries to deliver is also slightly misleading. However, Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek made this one at least worthy of a one-time watch for me.

I don't like this film, but then I didn't think much of the book either which, although lauded by many as a "masterpiece", I found lacking in character development and disjointed and illogical in plot, although it was far more readable than Fante's dreadful first effort "Road to Los Angeles" not published until Fante became fashionable in the mid 80s.I was intrigued to see what sort of soup Towne would make with such meager ingredients. He has worked hard script-wise to repair the many shortcomings of the book but for my money didn't rescue it. There was never a movie in Ask the Dust while ever he tried to stay faithful to the book. I consider this film Towne's folly.In a word: forgettable.

The movie has the hallmark of old American writings, with lots of metaphors and big words for showing what is really everyday life. The script is original, unlike most of the films today, because is based on a book about the depression era in the US. The actors play very well and the images are very well done. I would venture to say the soundtrack was equally flawless, since it didn't bother me one bit (didn't really notice it, either).So what was wrong about the movie? I don't know. Maybe the pace, since it was two hours long. Or the subject, which was ... smooth. I mean, there were no real bumps in it. Everything just went by itself. In the tradition of "road writers" the character is almost an observer, left to his own emotions, but incapable of acting. I can't say that characters weren't original, but more in the direction of weirdly annoying rather than interesting.Bottom line: it's a drama. The romance itself is strong, not the diluted stuff you see nowadays, but I wouldn't call this a romantic movie. I suggest watching it when you feel philosophical or want something new, yet slow paced.