Review of Ask the Dust (2006) by Kyle C — 14 Dec 2007

In this well acted, lusciously choragraphed and somewhat overwrought romance adaptation of John fante's caliss novel of desire in the desert.

Set under the sunny skies of Depression-era Los Angeles, a tale of obsession that focuses on a city both exotic and raunchy--a place of heat and dust. Full of imports--palm trees from Egypt and people from everywhere in search of health and wealth, fame and fortune--L. A. is the city of first and last resort, where all dreams are supposed to come true.

Colin farrel plays aurturo Bandini,the ambitious son of italian immigrants is a would be writer seeking fame, and a blue eyed blonde in 1930's los angeles. Instead he fllas madly in love with a mexican barmaid Camilla (played by the sultry and luscious salma hayek) who hopes to blend into anglo society by marrying a waelthy american. n a time when Anglo-Chicano relations hang by tattered threads, Bandini and Camilla collide with one another, fighting the city and themselves to make their dreams come true.

With prejudices abound and a tragedies, the love between the two lost souls will suirvive the test of time. In the end it becomes tragic.

Collin Farrel is trerribly miscast but is saved thank to the wonderful and luscious perofrmance of salma hayek who hs wonderful chemistry with with colin and great supporting performances from donald sutherland and eileen atkins.

The story is good but a little overwrought and the direction is very good. A good but not great film.

Worth renting.