Film Review
Ask the Dust
Dir. Robert TowneScr. Robert Towne (screenplay); John Fante (nove
Colin Farrell
Salma Hayek
Donald Sutherland
Official Site - www.askthedust-movie.com
Robert Towne (Chinatown) directed this adaptation of John Fante's Depression era novel. Salma Hayek plays the fiery Mexican beauty Camilla (not a stretch) who hopes to rise above her station by marrying a wealthy American.
This desire is complicated by meeting Arturo Bandini (Colin Farrell), a first-generation Italian hoping to land a writing career and a blue-eyed blonde on his arm. Their relationship is the crux of the story.
Hayek put on some weight to give herself a bit more curve and authenticity apparently, whatever, it all works. What doesn't really work is Colin Farrell. It's not that he is a bad actor, but I just didn't belive him, on any level and that made the film less than satisfying. There has been a lot of interest and waiting for a screen version of Fante's novel and Towne's credentials would have seemed the right choice, something is missing in the end though.
This desire is complicated by meeting Arturo Bandini (Colin Farrell), a first-generation Italian hoping to land a writing career and a blue-eyed blonde on his arm. Their relationship is the crux of the story.
Hayek put on some weight to give herself a bit more curve and authenticity apparently, whatever, it all works. What doesn't really work is Colin Farrell. It's not that he is a bad actor, but I just didn't belive him, on any level and that made the film less than satisfying. There has been a lot of interest and waiting for a screen version of Fante's novel and Towne's credentials would have seemed the right choice, something is missing in the end though.