Ask the Dust

"Trapped by passion. Faced by their dreams."

Mar 24 2006 R 1h 57m
Drama, Romance

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.

Plot

In early-1930s Los Angeles, California in the early 1930s, racism, poverty, and disease color the Bunker Hill neighborhood where Arturo Bandini (Colin Farrell), a lover of man and beast alike, has arrived from Colorado to write the great Los Angeles novel. Six months later he's down to his last nickel and orders a cup of coffee, which is served by Camilla Lopez (Salma Hayek): beautiful, self-possessed, and Mexican. Arturo gets advice, encouragement, and an occasional check from H.L. Mencken (Richard Schickel), so he keeps writing and he keeps seeing Camilla. But he's mean to her for no apparent reason, so the relationship sputters. A housekeeper from back East suggests a way out of his jealousy and fears.

Written by

Robert Towne, John Fante

Directed by

Robert Towne

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Noble House Entertainment Pictures, Capitol Films, Ascendant Pictures, Cruise/Wagner Productions, Paramount

Languages

English

Awards

1 nomination

Scores
# of Votes
10,247
Average Rating
5.7 out of 10
Metascore
58
Popularity
NA