Review of Little Ashes (2008) by Arii R — 18 May 2009

Before going to see this movie I did some research on it and saw the movie trailer. It looked interesting and thought I would like it. By the time the movie was over and the closing credits were rolling all I could say was WOW! To me it was an amazing movie that has restored my faith that the art of film making does still exist.

Far too many movies made nowadays rely way too much on senseless violence, explosions, car chases and way over the top special effects. There is none of that in Little Ashes. Instead they rely on the power of the spoken word and human emotion to create a story that compels you to watch and be drawn into the plot.

I will say it helps in watching this movie if you know a little bit about Salvador Dali and his art. The movie does a great job in showing how Dali became the eccentric artist he was. Still even without knowing who he was you will find yourself fasinated by the artistic genious some would call a madman.

Robert Pattinson (from Twilight fame) gives an outstanding performance as Dali. I feel though that Javier Beltran steals the show as Federico Garcia Lorca, an up and coming poet who would inspire many to resist against facists trying to gain control of Spain and who finds himself sexually attracted to Dali.

There is no doubt in my mind that Little Ashes should be on a lot of critics lists for best movies of the year for 2009. It certainly is on my list.