Anna NeonThe Little Dog Laughed
June 11th 2007 00:59
ASK THE DUST
Madman Films
Based on John Fante’s novel, and set in LA in the 1930s, Ask the Dust is the story of a young, Italian writer who comes to LA with big plans to write the great American novel, become rich and famous and marry a blue-eyed blonde. Instead, he meets Camilla Lopez, a fiery, Mexican waitress whose sole ambition is to marry a white American to raise her social status. Struggling to be accepted by society and unable to accept each other, Arturo and Camilla are thrust into a very unlikely love story where more insults are hurled than endearments whispered.
Arturo Bandini is a difficult character. Insecure, self-obsessed, and struggling against his own inferiority complex; he longs for love but is too proud to put himself on the line. Colin Farrell does a fair job, although one might wonder what Johnny Depp would have done with the role if the film had of gone into production sooner. By the time Ask the Dust did go into production, Depp was too old for the part.
The sheer delight of this film comes in the form of Salma Hayek, who really shows what she is made of here. Angry, funny, sweet and forever hopeful, she plays a young, idealistic Camilla with both skill and poise.
In this screenplay, Towne has picked the best pieces from Fante’s novel. However, he has changed the ending, and for those who loved Fante’s novel, this may be somewhat disappointing. The final scene definitely suffers for this change, but all in all, it is a good adaptation.
Madman Films
Original Poster Artwork
Based on John Fante’s novel, and set in LA in the 1930s, Ask the Dust is the story of a young, Italian writer who comes to LA with big plans to write the great American novel, become rich and famous and marry a blue-eyed blonde. Instead, he meets Camilla Lopez, a fiery, Mexican waitress whose sole ambition is to marry a white American to raise her social status. Struggling to be accepted by society and unable to accept each other, Arturo and Camilla are thrust into a very unlikely love story where more insults are hurled than endearments whispered.
Arturo Bandini is a difficult character. Insecure, self-obsessed, and struggling against his own inferiority complex; he longs for love but is too proud to put himself on the line. Colin Farrell does a fair job, although one might wonder what Johnny Depp would have done with the role if the film had of gone into production sooner. By the time Ask the Dust did go into production, Depp was too old for the part.
The sheer delight of this film comes in the form of Salma Hayek, who really shows what she is made of here. Angry, funny, sweet and forever hopeful, she plays a young, idealistic Camilla with both skill and poise.
In this screenplay, Towne has picked the best pieces from Fante’s novel. However, he has changed the ending, and for those who loved Fante’s novel, this may be somewhat disappointing. The final scene definitely suffers for this change, but all in all, it is a good adaptation.
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