Little Ashes Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Love. Art. Betrayal.
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 youthfully 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 friend, Magdalena. 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 Frederico draw closer, sharing their deepest beliefs, inspirations and secrets, convinced that they have found a kind of friendship not dreamed of by others. It is more that a meeting of the minds; it is a fusion of souls.
| Javier Beltrán | Federico García Lorca |
| Robert Pattinson | Salvador Dalí |
| Matthew McNulty | Luis Buñuel |
| Marina Gatell | Margarita |
| Adria Allue | Guardia |
| Simón Andreu | Fernando de Valle |
| Rubén Arroyo | Rafael |
| Ferran Audí | Guardia 1 |
| Adrian Devant | Titiritero |
| Ramón Enrich Borrellas | Profesor |
| Ferran Lahoz | Señor Milagro |
| Bruno Oro | Pepín Bello |
| Joan Pico | Joven Oficial |
| Marc Pujol | Carlos |
| Christian Rodrigo | Joven Periodista |
| Paul Morrison |
7.30 out of 10 (934 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A Devastating, Brilliant & Surreal film; A Timely Film in 2009.....
posted on 12 Aug 2009This film is definitely in that upper echelon category of films-- will either be deeply loved or greatly misunderstood. Viewers who go with an open mind; a tolerant & patient mind; understanding that this film is depicting surreal times; understanding that this type of film may be appreciated on a poetic/metaphoric level (rather than spelling everything out/beating viewers over the head with facts or niceties)-- coming from this place then I feel this film will be greatly enjoyed. (For some viewers, it might help to perhaps have a brief surrealism/Dali./Spain between the wars primer; this might make a difference in better appreciating certain aspects of the characters and the times portrayed.) I agree with another review, that in its essence this story about a little known poet and peer of Dali named Federico García Lorca-- the words devastating, beautiful, tragic, and inspiring come to mind. Lastly, even though this film depicts early 20th Century events, I must underscore the fact that this a highly important and timely film right now in 2009 in terms of basic human rights/dignity; namely the right that any human has to deeply love whomever that person wishes to love. DEFINITELY recommend this film.
wow. i loved it. definitely a love or hate movie.
posted on 27 Jul 2009There aren't much words to describe. Whether you like this movie or not definitely depends on the type of person you are. its definitely a real independent European film. but i love it. i think the actors capture everything well and the casting was exceptional. i loved the relationship between Dali and Lorca. I watched it a few days ago and i am still thinking and obsessing about the film and its aspects. I think if your the more sentimental type you'll enjoy it, but then again you may not. Like i said, you will either love it or not. its not one of those 'society-accepted' common films i.e. 'transformers'. its artsie and dramatic and Dali is just eccentric. love it. love love love it. 9/10.
It was good! but it could have been better!
posted on 15 Jul 2009Here is a movie I have been looking forward to for a long time, the movie is called Little Ashesnamed after the famous painting by Salvador Dali.Yes this movie is about the life of painter Salvador Dali, the poet Federico Garcia Lorca, and director Luis Bunuel. the movie takes place when all three guys are young and all at the same University in Madrid in 1922.The three young men are influence by art, poetry, and jazz. The guys do not agree with what is happening with Spain (on the break of civil war) and they believe they are better then that with there artistic skills.It Does not take long to figure out that there is chemistry between Dali and Lorca. Right after Bunuel leaves the school Dali and Lorca start to experiment with homosexuality, Lorca is in fact gay but Dali is not sure and after they experiment... things become awkward between the two.As the civil war builds and builds Salvador Dali decides to go to France and go into art, and Lorca decides to stay in Spain.While Dali is in France, he gets married and grows if legendary mustache. And starts painting.Like I said before I was looking forward to this movie, and well its wasn't as good as I thought but it was good. I really don't think you can say its a "true story" because the real Salvador Dali said he was not gay. But the director wanted to put the what if factor in it.Still this movie is strong and powerful and I think Robert Pattinson did a alright job doing this movie. I think they should have gotten someone from Spain to play Dali, which is why I am looking forward to Antonio Banderas playing Salvador Dali.All in all this movie is powerful and sends a message, the acting was good to alright, Dali mustache looked very fake... but I am going to say rent it.www.grantsmoviereviews.com
Worst Screenplay Ever
posted on 09 Jul 2009The New York Times Review said it all.Casting may have been part of the disaster, but the screenplay was so silly, insipid and dull that the cast was stuck with a turkey.It is amusing to think that the Dada movement, anarchists and surrealists may have been that third rate, but I doubt it.But some lines do stick out. Dali being evicted from the Surrealist movement.The accents were a total disaster. Subtitles should have been used when Lorca read his poems in Spanish.An astonishing waste of money and talent!All the actors would have been superb with a decent screenplay.Dali's costumes became an irritation.
One of the worst films I've ever seen
posted on 09 Jul 2009As a fan of independent movies, I went into this film with an open mind. I thought that Pattinson's performance as Dali was wooden, boring, and uninspired. He is completely miscast and his attempt at a Spanish accent is laughable. Beltran does a decent job in his role as Federico Garcia Lorca, but I was left wanting so much more from this film than was actually delivered.The entire premise of the film, the revelation of a relationship between Dali and Lorca during their school days, is thin and there doesn't seem to be enough material to base an entire film on. The film is partially redeemed by the cinematography and beauty of several of the locations, but I'd rather have those three hours of my life back.
Not what you expect...
posted on 13 Jun 2009HIGHLY Disappointed!! I am a huge fan of Dali and Dali is not even the main character as it is made out to be in all of the previews and reviews! It was hard to understand most of the movie and Pattinson's accent kept changing as well as he has many freak out moments of voices in his head that you have NO IDEA why! They never explain a lot of things. Most of the acting was very good but that was probably the only good part of the movie. It is a fine line to being a gay rights film with the cover of a biography of Dali's school life, (i have nothing against that but they should have been more up front about it) which it is barely about. It was almost as if they picked a famous artist so they could get people in the seats. I am very sad about this because it looked amazing and turned out to be a HUGE disappointment. I recommend if you want to see it, wait until it is released on DVD and save the money.
The critics are WRONG!
posted on 13 Jun 2009Don't always believe what the critics say. I have no explanation as to why some critics gave Little Ashes bad reviews other than it just wasn't your typical movie and they couldn't understand that.This movie tells a beautiful and fascinating story (read the synopsis beforehand it helps).The acting is excellent.The accents sound/are authentic (when Dali sounds American or French that is done intentionally from what i hear.) oh, and it's an INDEPENDENT FILM! aka it's not necessarily going to be like every other dramatic film out there.Go into it with an OPEN MIND. If you enjoy the previews you will probably enjoy the movie.Go see it and form your own opinion. This movie is great but it isn't for everyone.
No Limit
posted on 09 Jun 2009I will admit, what drew me to this movie was the fact that Robert Pattinson was in it and after seeing Twilight and the ga-ga-ness of him and the media, young girls and even old ladies, I wanted to see him act. (It came across to me in Twilight that he was more eye candy than anything else and his 'acting' was poor.) In Little Ashes he begins shy, reserved and awkward and he ends over the top, flamboyant and awkward. I really feel no middle ground with him, it is one extreme or the other. (I guess one could argue that was Dali himself as well.) He is enjoyable to watch on screen and I do believe that there is potential there. I would have chosen differently for Dali, Pattinson is too young maybe? and British- it would have been nice to see the film in the original language of Dali, even if I had to read it.Javier Beltran was an excellent choice to play famous writer Federico Garcia Lorca. He was passionate, commanding on screen and as a audience member you grow to love him. You feel his confusion, frustration and love for art, his country and his family. Out of all the players in this film he delivers lines with such a fervor that it as though he is speaking to you- in our time.At times the dialog falls flat and the story moves slow, it is overall a well told story about art, love and betrayal, just as the tag line reads. The music forces the movie along at some points and the flashes of black and white imagery try to convey the chaos that was surrounding Dali and his mates in Spain in the 1920's and it does not do justice to the uncertainty and fear that was rampant.If movies are in themselves pieces of art this is a valiant effort on the part of everyone involved, including Mr. Pattinson- though I hope this is not the best I see from him, but it did make me enjoy him as an actor, not eye candy. He to a chance and pushed the limits on himself, certain scenes he is impressive and you cannot look away- even when the image is disturbing- and taking on such an iconic figure in history takes courage. I think that Dali and Pattinson may have one thing in common for their art- no limits.
Little Ashes ... one of my favourite films of the year
posted on 28 May 2009I am writing this comment to declare my love for the film Little Ashes. I watched it for the first time last night, expecting it to be a rambling journey through the themes of art and lust. However i was pleasantly surprised to enjoy an excellent film. Personally i enjoy any historically based film but this is pure genius. The exciting tantalising life of Dali is explored perfectly in this film. The confusion and repressed love felt for Frederico struck a cord in my mind and i longed for them to couple together. Any film that inspires emotion in the viewer deserves the best comments any person could make. Everything about it made me smile. The delightful humour delivered with precision by the very talented and humble Robert Pattinson made me laugh out loud. The tragic ending to Frederico Garcia Lorca made me cry and the pure anger and frustration felt by Louis made me wish for their to be a happy ending. After watching this film i unbenowst to myself spend five minutes contemplating of the struggle that must have been felt by Salvador Dali at the time. The costume for the film also inspired me a lot. I aim in life to design and make costume for TV and film and this film spurred me on more. I wanted to be in the film whilst watching it, dancing in the bars and strolling along the beach, creating life from my very steps. The accents have been criticised heavily but i believe if it were not for this you would not understand the depth of emotion felt by the actors. A director is there to make every actor pronounce each word with precision and some have chastised these actors for doing this. It was the directors wish and it made the film more real. A technique i found extremely successful was the use of over head dialect from the letter reading between Salvador and Frederico, the English translation of the poetry express the frustration in the poems themselves and therefore adds to the realism of the film. One thing that frustrated me was the comments by American teens yearning to see this film simply for Robert Pattinson being in it. I myself am a British teen and this was part of the reason for me watching it i admit, but the story line enticed me more. I believe any role played by Robert Pattinson is there to be praised and his own reflection of character portrayed in the film make it ever more believable. Overall i believe this film is a beautiful piece revealing the frustration and depth of emotion normally hidden by people. Commendations to the director and actors for their brilliant portrayals. 10 out of 10, i loved it.
Gorgeous photography, terrible accents
posted on 26 May 2009I would have loved the movie had it not been for the unintelligible accents. I spent most of the time trying to figure out what the actors were saying. If a director fears the US audience will reject a movie with subtitles, he should fear more accents interfering with acting. Better to have a cast of native English speakers. Or make sure to hire some good speech trainers. It was obvious the actors were not comfortable with what they were saying and it really hurt their performances.I agree with the previous reviewer, at least those parts where Lorca was reciting, should have been subtitled. The photography was beautiful and the story works as a love/friendship one, not much as a portrayal of cultural and intellectual history/environment.== Just a quick reaction to a later comment: I'm not so sure how authentic it is that Dali, Buñuel and Lorca would be speaking English among them...in Spain. Yes, it would be authentic they would be speaking English with an accent -as perhaps Lorca did while in New York, when he happened to need it-, but it is completely artificial they would be speaking English at all while in Spain, with no English speakers around. Perhaps, Dali and Buñuel would speak French, but when speaking to Lorca, even if they might have mixed in some French, the main language of communication would be Spanish. It would be more believable to have Dali speak Spanish with a French accent after returning from France.So a cast of only English speakers with no fake Spanish accents would have been better (more authentic, as whatever they would speak would be the default native language in the fictional setting).Even better would have been a movie in Spanish with subtitles.
A great surprise of a film
posted on 06 May 2009I admit that I went to see this film because Robert Pattinson was in it but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I actually really liked this film. A lot. Pattinson's Dali was definitely well done and entertaining – no need for him to be embarrassed by this performance – he CAN act. But the real accolades go to Javier Beltran's portrayal of Lorca. This film is really about him. I thought Beltran's performance was refreshingly understated and I felt every pang of his heart. Marina Gatell was also exceptional and I thought her scenes were perfectly acted. What I liked about this movie was that it did not beat me over the head with an idea or a message. It just told the story and through the performances of the actors I connected in a subtle yet deep way. I thought there were many very well done scenes. I laughed out loud at some and I cried at others. I love movies that have quiet visually wonderful scenes that make a mark and this movie had several. I particularly liked a scene where Lorca is writing and Dali is painting in a garage of sorts. There's also a great scene where Dali paints a canvas and himself totally black. Great stuff. I wish we got to see more of Spain but I guess budget constraints are to blame there. Also, it's one of those art house movies where you can't understand what the actors are saying at times. Frustrating because most of the lines I did get to hear were very well written and delivered. All in all I loved it.
Beautiful movie, HUGE language problem!
posted on 04 May 2009A beautiful movie about art, love and life choices. It is based on the stories and relationships between Federico García Lorca, Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel since their friendship in the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid in the 1920s. The movie focuses on the complexity of their relationships amidst a turbulent political context in Europe and particularly in Spain, a changing cultural and intellectual life dominated by the avant-garde, surrealism, the influences of jazz and the decadent lifestyle of artists in Europe. It portrays the various choices each makes without being judgmental: the romantic revolutionary choices of Lorca that lead to his execution at the hands of the Nationalist militia at the very beginning of the Spanish Civil War, the narcissistic path of Salvador Dalí marked by genius, excessiveness and conceit, and the emotionally and politically embroiled life of Luis Buñuel who decides early on that his artistic career cannot find a place in Spain.The editing of the movie could have used a little more smoothness. Some of the scenes and frames seemed superfluous. Some of the lines in the dialogue, wanting to be informative, ended up sounding a bit out of context and unrealistic. The actors' performances were very good, except for a few instances where their performance seemed inadequate mainly because of what I take to be the main problem in the movie, namely that of language.Two of the main actors are Spanish, speaking English - the main language of the movie - with a very heavy Spanish accent and the other two are British actors speaking English with a fake heavy Spanish accent (which made a few words incomprehensible)!!! This was a major turnoff for me. In movies like these, it's either/or. Either you get a cast that speak English with a homogeneous native accent, or you get a Spanish-speaking cast, and a good Spanish script co-writer and exert some extra effort to make the movie entirely in Spanish. I found the parts where Lorca recites some of his poems in Spanish, with the same actor in v/o reading them in English particularly disagreeable and made me incapable of properly enjoying the poetry... I'd say that the language problem reduced my enjoyment of the this otherwise very beautiful and well-done movie by 50%. I highly recommend watching it though.
Little Ashes - Pattinson does not look, sound or feel like Dali
posted on 25 Mar 2009There was nothing wrong with the story of the movie except the actor chosen to play the great surrealist painter: Salvador Dali. Dali played by Robert Pattinson, was so off I have to rate this movie 1/10. Being a huge fan of Dali's artwork, I am even more intrigued by Dali himself, I could stare at a photo or listen to Dali speak, almost endlessly... So to see Pattinson (and I do not blame him for taking/attempting the role) completely ripped up Dali and spat him out into a mess. Pattinson did not look, feel or sound like Dali what so ever. Dali is famous for the way he spoke, rolling words off his tongue with a Spanish accent. I understand that the movie is spoken in English for western viewers to relate to, but I can not take the movie seriously. It is like Samuel L. Jackson playing Donald Trump in a movie, it would not work, a bit of an exaggeration, I know, but you can catch my drift. Pattinson is a pale Englishman where Dali was a dark skinned Spaniard, I cannot imagine who casted him. I could go on for ever. If you are a fan of Dali or actually thought this movie was good, I recommend checking out "Dirty Dali" and "Arena - Dali," search them on youtube.
The quality of the sound
posted on 23 Mar 2009The sound of this movie is horrendous. I think I missed 70% of the words. My friend sitting next to me did not say anything during the movie but she heard less than I did, she told me at the end. We were in the Paris Theater in NY and it was really empty and no one was making noise. Between the accents and the non existent sound equipment the movie was too long. And I wanted to shout for the first half an hour " kiss him already".....Do not recommend this movie unless desperate.The characters are unlikeable to start and then add you have to strain to listen....too much work. Also when the translated Lorca's poems they did it with an accent. How pretentious. Should have been done in Spanish with subtitles.
"Little Ashes" - Big impressions!
posted on 06 Jan 2009I think this movie isn't for everyone. It's deeply emotional, dramatical and extremely well-done. All the feelings, thoughts and passion shown in this movie are expressed masterly. It's one of the best movies I've ever seen!!! the world is overflowed by insipid and violence-based films, absolutely senseless and dull "masterpieces" of modern cinematography and I always welcome different and non-commercial motion pictures. I never read critics' reviews, because nowadays, neither of them approves a movie without a budget of 100 million dollars, special effects, hot chicks, muscular bad guys and brutality. Movies like "Little Ashes" always stay beyond their attention, but honestly, I don't care! My vote is Excellent!!
well done
posted on 21 Dec 2008this movie was well performed, it achieved great status then what wasn't to be expected. The acting was amazing, bring these fascinating characters to the screen was to be a challenge and they made it look so easy. Robert Pattinson brought true life to Dali character... This story was meant to be told and no one good have done it better then these actors. This film was made with really emotion and intensity, you feel apart of their lives affecting you. After seeing this film it made me want to do more research about the lives of these fascinating artist and for that I'm a great for the art of independent films. This film deserves an Oscar and can be the next slum dog millionaire..
Systematically Creating Confusion
posted on 17 Nov 2008I just saw "Little Ashes" at the LGBT Festival here in Miami and I have got to say that it was good. I do have to warn you that it is abstract at some points but it IS a Dali movie and he led a very strange life. The movie does justice to the man. I went thinking it was going to be completely about Dali but it mainly focuses on the relationship he had with Frederico. Unfortunately I am very quite aware that this movie will not get the attention it deserves in the states and that a good portion of the people who will watch this movie will only watch for the main actor, Mister Robert Pattinson but I still suggest that Dali lovers watch this movie as well as fans of slightly strange movies.
Haunting and captivating film with wonderful actors
posted on 12 Oct 2008I watched this film a week ago and after the last shot I realized that I wanted to watch it again. That very moment! From the very beginning! I read in someone's article the word "haunting" about this film - I absolutely agree with it. It's an elegantly made film with fascinating actors. The enchanting guitar, violin and piano just intensify the heady mood of it. The actors' way of speaking (described as "terrible accents" in someone's comment) didn't bother me at all, maybe because neither English nor Spanish are my first languages. But I agree with Dromerito2003 that it would've been more believable if all of them spoke Spanish (Robert Pattinson definitely has "language ear" and it wouldn't be difficult for him to speak Spanish only, I think). With subtitles. By the way now I'd like to learn Spanish to read Lorca's poems in it. And to visit Spain shown so lovingly ( I agree that photography is great!)and to see as many works of Dali as possible. And to watch "Little Ashes" again...
I hope my expectations will not be vain.
posted on 20 Aug 2009I certainly understand, that my voice can be removed from here, but I so would like to learn as much as possible about this film, that I cannot be kept. To me still long to wait, thanks for reviews. But me will have to buy also DVD to listen to "lacks" of accents. While translating all these insignificant trifles leave on the second plan. I would like to see at last film about my adored artist of the Dali. I read its books. It seems to me, I understand why the role of the Dali has got Pattinson. Such over timid and over shocking the person as Dali could play only same over timid and at the same time over emotional Robert. To wait still very long and I has decided to buy film in England. I hope my expectations will not be vain.