Val Kilmer, Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek head the cast for the bigscreen adaptation of this novel set in America during the Great Depression era. Legendary writer/director Robert Towne finally achieves a dream he has had for nearly three decades as he helms the project. The Chinatown scribe finally convinced the vaunted production team of Paula Wagner and Tom Cruise to finance the production for Paramount Pictures.
Ask the Dust is the fictional but semi-autobiographical story of author John Fante. Through the presence of his inscrutubale alter-ego, Arturo Bandini (the Farrell character), Fante relays the tale of a struggling Italian immigrant dealing with the trappings of the American promised land. During the course of the ambitious egomaniac's struggles, he encounters Camilla, a Mexican looker who dreams of securing her future by marrying a successful American. The struggling Italian author she encounters is not exactly the man of her dreams but they can't escape each other.
Ask the Dust is considered one of the most seminal works of the early 20th century. Robert Towne's script has been described as brilliant yet respectful. Considering the star power and the director's reputation, the movie is poised to be a major player during awards season. (David Mumpower/BOP)
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