Alright, let’s talk about “Ask the Dust.” This one had me all over the place, honestly. Directed by Robert Towne, it’s a movie set in 1930s Los Angeles, a backdrop that’s both gritty and kinda romantic, in a somber way. If you’re into that whole noir vibe with a touch of sand from the deserts, this might be up your alley—or maybe it’ll leave you scratching your head. Let’s dive in!
First off, Colin Farrell as Arturo Bandini, a struggling writer trying to make a name for himself. He’s brooding, complex, and a bit of an ass, to be honest. But isn’t that the charm of literary anti-heroes? And then there’s Salma Hayek, playing Camilla Lopez, who’s fierce and vulnerable at the same time. The chemistry between them is… let’s say it’s complicated. You almost feel the sparks, but something’s off; it’s like they’re not on the same page, literally and figuratively.
The cinematography? Man, it’s beautiful. You can almost feel the dry California heat on your skin and taste the dust in the air—seriously, it’s that evocative. The setting kind of becomes its own character, if that makes sense. But the pacing? Ay caramba, it’s slow. You know when you’re waiting for bussen and it’s super late, and you’re just standing there, freezing, wondering what you did to deserve this? Yeah, it’s kinda like that.
Now, I gotta tell you this: it reminded me of a summer in Uppsala. I was trying to write my own novel, pretty sure it was as “important” as anything by John Fante. There I was, sweating bullets in a tiny loft, staring at my Olivetti typewriter that I’d borrowed from my aunt. Inspo was through the roof, just like Bandini, but reality hit hard when rejections piled up. Watching Farrell’s Arturo struggle with his identity and dreams dredged up those nostalgic—and slightly painful—memories.
But maybe that’s the point. “Ask the Dust” isn’t about success; it’s about the grind, the passion, and the inevitable heartbreak. It captures a time and place where dreams seemed just a tad out of reach, kind of like reaching for the last kanelbulle at Fika only to see it taken.
Check out the trailer:
