Almost universally ignored on ití¢â‚¬â„¢s released, Robert Towneí¢â‚¬â„¢s fine looking adaptation of John Fanteí¢â‚¬â„¢s groundbreaking book, Ask the Dust, is definitely worth a look if not a wholly satisfying experience. Colin Farrell stars as Arturo Bandini, a struggling writer who has moved to Los Angeles to write the great American novel. Craving the experiences with women he needs for his writing, Bandini stumbles into a local cafíƒ © to spend his last pennies. There he meets the fiery, Camilla (Salma Hayek) with whom he immediately strikes up an explosive relationship. Soon their untameable romance takes them on a wild journey through Los Angeles, love and literature.

On the surface, Ask the Dust is a competent and very well acted film. Farrell and Hayek clearly demonstrate they are capable of appearing in more character-based material such as this as well as high profile projects. If there is a flaw, it is in trying to adapt such a difficult book to screen. Fanteí¢â‚¬â„¢s novel is a superb example of the authorí¢â‚¬â„¢s freewheeling nature as the character Bandini takes us through his thoughts, writings and musings. Ití¢â‚¬â„¢s the non-linear narrative that the film caní¢â‚¬â„¢t quite hold together; and some of the razzle dazzle of Fanteí¢â‚¬â„¢s prose is lost in the pace of the film.

Come the second half, Towneí¢â‚¬â„¢s script does follow a smoother structure but he could have shaved fifteen minutes of the running time to make it a tighter and more compact film reflecting the quick-fire nature of the novel. Despite its flaws, Ask the Dust is an admirable attempt to adapt Fanteí¢â‚¬â„¢s most respected work. Towne approaches the material with obvious affection and turns in an alternative film that coasts along on its eccentric charm, quality performances and fine period detail. Worth a look.

Andrew Skeates.