Ask The Dust (2006)
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35% of critics liked it
(104 reviews) -
36% of users liked it
(42,102 ratings)
Adapted from a novel by John Fante, Robert Towne's Ask the Dust stars Colin Farrell as Arturo Bandini, a young writer who comes to Los Angeles during the Great Depression in order to write a novel. As the film opens, he is down to his last nickel and decides to spend it on coffee in a diner. He… More Adapted from a novel by John Fante, Robert Towne's Ask the Dust stars Colin Farrell as Arturo Bandini, a young writer who comes to Los Angeles during the Great Depression in order to write a novel. As the film opens, he is down to his last nickel and decides to spend it on coffee in a diner. He is served by Camilla (Salma Hayek), a Mexican beauty he is instantly attracted to even though he treats her horribly during their first interaction. Soon the pair is involved in a relationship that finds them sparring with each other at first, but slowly learning to trust each other. Bandini meets the acquaintance of a desperate woman who sees him as the most desirable man in the world. Eventually Arturo and Camilla get away from the city and their love deepens as he attempts to finish his novel. Donald Sutherland co-stars as a seedy but helpful and loyal neighbor. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Towne
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Mar 10, 2006 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 25, 2006
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Edward Lawrenson, Time Out
Although Chinatown writer Towne lovingly depicts the Depression-era LA setting (actually shot in South Africa), the film misfires.
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David Edelstein, New York Magazine
Something is missing, though. The themes are all there, but the movie doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and rev you up.
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Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
Farrell and costar Salma Hayek have rarely been so affecting, or so effective, as self-hating ethnics who find love.
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Who would have guessed that Robert Towne, the writer of Chinatown, could make a movie as awful as Ask the Dust? It has it all -- one-dimensional characters, one-dimensional set and idiotically arch dialogue.
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Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Ask the Dust is one of the most eagerly awaited cinematic projects of 2006, which may be why it lands with such a curious thud.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Colin Farrell
as Arturo Bandini
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Salma Hayek
as Camilla
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Donald Sutherland
as Hellfrick
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Eileen Atkins
as Mrs. Hargraves
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Idina Menzel
as Vera Rivkin
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Justin Kirk
as Sammy
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Jeremy Crutchley
as Solomon
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Richard Schickel
as Voice of Mencken
- Charlie Hunnam
- Dion Basco
- Ronald France
- Wayne Harrison
- William Mapother
- Dame Eileen Atkins
