[*UPDATED*] Film Review: ‘Little Ashes’ : Robert Pattinson’s indie as Salvador Dali
Let me give you a hint, he’s not sucking blood in this one.
Although it has only been screened at select events and not out until May 8th (in limited release), Little Ashes is creating a big buzz with great thanks to media fodder and Twilight vamp Robert Pattinson starring in this art flick.
Little Ashes is the story of a young Salvador Dali (played as a delightful scenery sponge) and his tragic relationship with Federico García Lorca and their friendship to a more hetero extent with Luis Bunel. Writer and Poet Lorca is played by the quiet storm that is Spanish newcomer Javier Beltran, the true star of this film in billing and craft. The story follows their 1919 meeting at Residencia de estudiantes in Madrid and up until Lorca’s death (spoiler? read a book!) during the Franco-Spanish war in 1936 Andalusia.
Synopsis from IMDB:
“In 1922, Madrid is wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dali arrives at the university; 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university’s social elite – Federico Garcia Lorca and Luis Bunel. Salvador is absorbed into their decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio, the most ultra-modern group in Madrid. However as time passes, Salvador feels and increasingly strong pull towards the charismatic Federico – who is himself oblivious of the attentions he is getting from his beautiful writer friends, Margarita. Finaly, in the face of his friends’ preoccupations – and Federico’s growing renown as a poet – Luis sets off for Paris in search of his own artistic success. Federico and Salvador spend the holiday in the sea-side town of Cadaques. Both the idyllic surroundings and the warmth of the Dali family sweep Federico off his feet. Salvador and he draw closer, sharing their deepest beliefs, inspirations and secrets, convinced that they have found a kind of friendship undreamt of by others. It is more that a meeting of the minds; it is a fusion of souls. And then one night, in the phosphorescent water, it becomes something else… “
If it sounds totally gay not to worry, there is a girl there…sorta. But all in all this is a great film, I watched it last year… with a girl. (I’m safe right?)
Distributed by Regent Releasing, a company massively guilty for distributing fagsploitation drivel like the recent films of David DeCoteau (Puppetmaster series aside) this film is a more honest and generous revelation for presenting homosexual relationships in film. The historical settings and events are handled with upmost care from a noticably smaller budget picture and this is one of a few films (like the Academy Award winning foreign language film Departures) that are actually making Regent a company who’s films can be seen off of Santa Monica Blvd.
Little Ashes, Directed by brit Paul Morrison gets an 8/10. The cinematography and art direction create a great mood and postcard of Spain. Javier Beltran does an amazing job carrying this film into something more sophisticated than it’s stagecraft alone. If it is his wish Beltran could be the next great Spanish actor to transition to American films. It is a film that you don’t need an Art degree to appreciate but you might not want to show your tween-age Twilight Fan just yet. The sex is handled tastefully even when it gets a bit rough but parts of the
film are a bit slow in a way that pretty boy Pattinson can’t drag them through. At times the Dali character is stretched but Lorca will make you forget about the 800 pound vampiric elephant in the room. Comments welcome.
AliUptown’s Comments:
I think what I loved most about this movie was how my imagination kinda went wild afterwards. Not so much about the potential awkward sex between Dali and Garcia Lorca (or better yet, Pattinson and Beltran), but what their relationship really was. I mean, Dali went so far as to mockingly announce Garcia Lorca’s obsession with him, and his numerous failed attempts to seduce him.
according to Alain Bosquet’s 1969 Conversations with Dali:
“He was homosexual, as everyone knows, and madly in love with me… He tried to screw me twice… I was extremely annoyed, because I wasn’t homosexual, and I wasn’t interested in giving in. Besides, it hurts. So nothing came of it. But I felt awfully flattered vis-à-vis the prestige. Deep down I felt that he was a great poet and that I owe him a tiny bit of the Divine Dali’s asshole.”
I get that.
Dali eventually chooses fame over his love (in whatever context) for Garcia Lorca and falls deeper into his spiral of eccentricity and decadence. I got the impression that Salvador Dali lost himself in his act, the ego went from being a cry for attention to the real deal. Surprisingly, I became much more attached to Beltran’s character than Pattinson’s, and was cheerleading for him and his love for Dali inside my head, although I took Art History in college, and I knew how that story ended. But in the end, I did feel it was a really romantic film in a way, and felt the joy and happiness as the two played on the beach and in the water-just as I felt the despair and tension when shit got real.
I do have to mention Marina Gatell and Matthew McNulty as Magdalena and Luis Brunuel, respectively. Gatell was fucking flawless in my eyes, and my heart broke for her as her love for Garcia Lorca grew while he tried to do the right thing in entertaining her interests just as a strapping young man should. Similarly, McNulty portrayed the strained, confused Brunuel brilliantly,
It was at times hard for me to tell if/when Pattinson’s awkwardness was an actual portrayal of Dali’s eccentric nature, or if he was just plain awkward. But I didn’t mind it. I did get the feeling he didn’t hold back, which I could appreciate. His accent, however, seemed to drift in and out like my lucidity after a bottle of red. But the film as a whole was effortlessly easy for me to get lost in, and yes, I did cry. I however, cry during certain episodes of Buffy I’ve seen a dozen times, so maybe I’m not the best gauge for touching movie moments. Like I mentioned earlier, I thought about this film for a long time after I finished it, and kinda wanna watch it again.
Even More Trash:
I agree with you on the factor that Javier was fantastic but was surprised you didn’t mention how Robert stole every scene he was in.
And the vampiric elephant comment, does this mean you weren’t impressed by his performance?
Because I can safely say that I was blown away by him and this whole film as a whole.
I think he did a pretty good job with the Dali part, and when I say scenery sponge thats what you perceived as Robert stealing the scene.
I think Little Ashes should have come out before Twilight. I believe it was filmed before Twilight but just took longer to finish and be released. The problem now is that no matter what Pattinson does he will be seen as Edward and not Dali. Thats the 900 pound vampire elephant.
Like I said, much more blown away by Javier Beltran. To me he was the real star of this film. Pattinson was very shiny though.
I do hope you will give the film going population the benefit of the doubt as far as seeing Pattinson only as Edward Cullen. I’ve seen Mr.Pattinson in several other roles, i.e. Daniel Gale (Bad Mother’s Handbook); Toby Jugg (The Haunted AIrman); and Art (How To Be, which is also now releasing across the country) and I have to tell you — as a VERY NON-TWEEN fan, Mr. Pattinson consumes each role and is an utter chameleon. I very much look forward to watching this rising star.. SOAR!
I speak for myself personally that as an admirer but not a fan (that would be my co-author and Vampiphilliac AliUptown) of Pattinsons that Twilight is the role I first saw him in as probably did much of the public, i think the same problem comes to anyone involved in a film that huge that people cant see them past the role. Daniel Radcliffe and Mark Hamill come to mind. I certainly HOPE that people can get past it but I think it’s such a huge impression to see him as Cullen that any subsequent role is going to have that residual character as a ghost inside of it.
Dont get me wrong I thought he did a pretty good job with the role!
Thanks for that…. I am confident Mr. Pattinson has a long film making career, if he chooses. He is a mult-talented, mult-faceted man.
I think your prediction of Mr. Pattinson being typecast will prove incorrect.., I don’t think Edward Scissorhands when I think Johnny Deep.. I don’t even think Capt. Jack…
I respectfully submit my opinion, and look forward to seeing Little Ashes when it opens.
OLA yo soy de chile y el fanatismo tambien llega hasta aqui
bye
This is probably a silly question but why does Roberts character ‘Dali’, always black out right before or during any sexual encounter?
Totally not a silly question steph. I have no idea. Maybe it’s because he’s overwhelmed by it. Artists are pretty sensitive you know? Wish I knew.