| Film Review | by "Babblin" Bobby Blakey |
Ask the Dust (2006)
Colin Farrell
Salma Hayek
Donald Sutherland
Justin Kirk
Idina Menzel
Directed by Robert Towne
Plot: Set under the brutally sunny skies of
Depression-era Los Angeles, a tale of obsession that focuses
on a city both exotic and vulgar, glamorous 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. So
it is for Arturo Bandini, the ambitious son of Italian
immigrants who dreams of becoming a famous novelist and
marrying a beautiful blonde, and Camilla Lopez, a Mexican
who longs to marry a WASP and shed her last name. In 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.
Review: If everyone didn't know by now, I have a
heterosexual man love for Colin Farrell. I will watch any
movie he is in. I am not saying I like most of them, but I
will watch them. I will watch most of what Salma Hayek does
just to stare at her, but I don't think she is that great an
actress. That being said, I decided to give this movie,
which I knew nothing about, a chance.
The movie has a standard love storyline, but with nothing
really new or original. I think Colin Farrell gives a good
performance, but nothing really special. Salma is just
typical Salma, but does show off her assets a couple of
times. (Note: that means she is naked) Before everyone runs
out to get this for that reason, there is not a lot of
nudity, but it is Salma so it's still good. The movie is
dialogue driven and moves somewhat slow at times, but is
good. I found myself enjoying the movie more as it went on,
but wanted to give up a couple of times at the beginning. I
do feel the movie ran a little longer than needed, but
didn't have to many unnecessary scenes. If you are a fan of
either of these actors or just like love stories, stick with
the film and I think you will enjoy it.
