Ask the Dust

Starring:

Colin Farrell......Arturo Bandini

Salma Hayek......Camilla Lopez

Donald Sutherland......Hellfrick

Idina Menzel......Vera Rivkin

Justin Kirk......Sammy

Eileen Atkins......Mrs. Hargraves

Based upon the book with the same title by John Fante (which I haven't yet read), this was a period romantic drama set in Long Beach during the Great Depression. Colin Farrell, whose work I haven't seen much of, was actually pretty great in this movie, and really made me believe he was Italian (He isn't, and it's a big part of the movie). Salma Hayek was great, as usual, as the fiery but gorgeous Camilla Lopez. Obviously the two characters fall in love, fighting all the way through their relationship. Camilla doesn't think Arturo wants to be seen in public with her, since she's Mexican and he's Italian.

Racial issues and "class" are, I guess, a semi-big theme in this movie. Arturo and Camilla are both equal wealth wise (he's a struggling writer and she's a waitress), but are seen as polar opposites in terms of their ethical standing. Near the end of the movie when Arturo finally takes Camilla to the movies, a woman sitting next to Camilla got up and moved once Camilla sat down. The way these issues were dealt with, in the movie, were really great.

Okay, so the real reason I watched this is because of Idina Menzel. I love her, and if you know me, you know that. She was great in this movie, and had a bigger part than I thought she would end up having. She plays Vera Rivkin, a young Jewish woman who's hiding a tortured past by pretending to be in a relationship with Arturo (sounds complicated... it is, lol.)

So. Movie good. Go watch. Bye.