Ask the Dust (2006) Reviews
- Starring:
- Colin Farrell, Salma Hayek, (more)
- Director(s):
- Robert Towne
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama, Independent Films
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful Disregard the simple-minded, obnoxious, and negative reviews. They were written by people who probably wanted to see gratuitous sex and violence.
This movie is very historical and has several ... Read More Disregard the simple-minded, obnoxious, and negative reviews. They were written by people who probably wanted to see gratuitous sex and violence.
This movie is very historical and has several profound themes, including racial identity in early 20th Century America, acceptance (despite racial separation, mental illness, class, and severe body scarring), and pride. The tormented relationship of the main characters is gripping and ties into the time and place. Religion is important to the film as well, as Catholicism helps to bring the Italian- and Mexican-American couple together, and the scarred and vulnerable Jewish woman finds acceptance with Arturo (Colin Farrell), both non-conformists, writers, and outcasts.
Special features that are enjoyable include explanations of casting and the historical context of the movie and novel. I highly recommend this one for serious, mature people. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful It's the 1920s and Americans don't like foreigners. So we have a story about three foreigners who have accepted the stereotyping by others. Colin's character struggles to be a writer, and wonders if ... Read More It's the 1920s and Americans don't like foreigners. So we have a story about three foreigners who have accepted the stereotyping by others. Colin's character struggles to be a writer, and wonders if he really is. He is so convinced of his inferiority that he believes he's not good enough for a Mexican girl to whom he is very attracted. Salma plays a part in which she expects, but hates, the discrimination. It takes a long time for Colin and Salma' characters to accept each other. The only validation that Colin's character is a writer comes H.L. Mencken, and horribly scarred Jewish girl, who has her own demons. Yet the outsiders still come togerther in a great story about determination and love. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful It's a powerful story well done.The story, the dialogue, the cinematography, the lighting are extraordinarily good. Even the way they walk in the 30s is right-on, as are the mood, and every detailed ... Read More It's a powerful story well done.The story, the dialogue, the cinematography, the lighting are extraordinarily good. Even the way they walk in the 30s is right-on, as are the mood, and every detailed object or clothing, for example. The racism of the time is subtle but evident and altered my distant view of what the depression must have been like. And the love scenes are truly loving and intimate with real chemistry, not sex scenes. This is a must watch twice movie to get the subteties and nuances missed the first time. For lovers of GOOD films. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful This was one of those movies that felt like it didn't really know what it wanted be. At the beginning it feels like it wants to be a quirky dialogue driven film about quirky people in a 1930's Los ... Read More This was one of those movies that felt like it didn't really know what it wanted be. At the beginning it feels like it wants to be a quirky dialogue driven film about quirky people in a 1930's Los Angeles. Then at about the half way point it quickly turns into a sappy soap opera. Farrell and especially Hayek are nice to watch as a couple, but their characters present themselves as too self absorbed to be even close to likable. Especially Ferrell who's character's mood seems to change with the desert breeze. The characters emotions are so illogical that instead of feeling things like empathy, disgust, pity, or happiness, I ended up feeling nothing at all. A very hollow feeling film. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 9 people found this review helpful This movie had all the pieces to be great: Actors/Actresses, setting and story. Terrible dialogue and lack of character development. Movies with narrations usually are provoke interest because, you ... Read More This movie had all the pieces to be great: Actors/Actresses, setting and story. Terrible dialogue and lack of character development. Movies with narrations usually are provoke interest because, you understand character development better. However it really went no where in this movie. Their relationship did not make sense. Why was Colin playing hard to get? Because she was Mexican? Because he was broke? Because she was illiterate? I give it two stars because Salma is beautiful. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful I enjoyed this movie, and am only giving it 4 stars instead of five, because the ending seemed rushed. With that out of the way, this is a good romantic movie for those who want a little something ... Read More I enjoyed this movie, and am only giving it 4 stars instead of five, because the ending seemed rushed. With that out of the way, this is a good romantic movie for those who want a little something different from a romance. An earlier reviewer said that the main character (Arturo Bandini) was juvenile and that overall the movie was confusing. Unfortunately, not all men have the ability to be mature. Arturo was an adult, but he lived outside your conventional comfort zone; he throws petty insults at those he adores because he's uncomfortable with his ability to get attention any other way; maybe if he was played by a fat overweight plumber it would have made more sense in the negative reviews eyes, but to me this isn't far from some of my own past relationships... Confusing and juvenile... sure... but who's perfect? and who wants to see cookie cuter love stories? Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful I almost never write a review. But I felt I had to in this case. Without getting into it too deeply, I would just like to say to my fellow BlockBuster viewers: DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!! Go watch ... Read More I almost never write a review. But I felt I had to in this case. Without getting into it too deeply, I would just like to say to my fellow BlockBuster viewers: DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!! Go watch grass grow - it will be more interesting. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful If you think you would like yet another movie set in the Depression where a couple of people fall in love and then one gets TB (as we have seen a million times over)...then you should rent this ... Read More If you think you would like yet another movie set in the Depression where a couple of people fall in love and then one gets TB (as we have seen a million times over)...then you should rent this movie. It also deals with an immense amount of racial discrimination, which the lead, Arturo (played by Colin Farrell) never gets over his "love" not being white enough for him; and does nothing for disproving stereotypes, so in the end, you're left a bit frustrated with it all. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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