Rotten
Although Chinatown writer Towne lovingly depicts the Depression-era LA setting (actually shot in South Africa), the film misfires.
Edward Lawrenson, Time Out
Ask the Dust
Trapped by passion. Faced by their dreams.
2006 · 1h 57m · R
Drama, Romance
Directed by
Robert Towne
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Ask the Dust
Overview
Mexican beauty Camilla hopes to rise above her station by marrying a wealthy American. That is complicated by meeting Arturo Bandini, a first-generation Italian hoping to land a writing career and a blue-eyed blonde on his arm.
Director and cast
- Robert Towne Director
- Colin Farrell as Arturo Bandini
- Salma Hayek Pinault as Camilla Lopez
- Donald Sutherland as Hellfrick
- Eileen Atkins as Mrs. Hargraves
- Idina Menzel as Vera Rivkin
- Justin Kirk as Sammy
- William Mapother as Bill
- Tamara Marie Watson as Sally
- Dionysio Basco as Patricio
- Jeremy Crutchley as Solomon
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
36%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Something is missing, though. The themes are all there, but the movie doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and rev you up.
David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture
Fresh
Farrell and costar Salma Hayek have rarely been so affecting, or so effective, as self-hating ethnics who find love.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten
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.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Rotten
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.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
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