LITTLE ASHES

Director: Paul Morrison
Stars: Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell
Year: 2008
Rating: R

Little Ashes traces the school days of two of Spain's most famous new-wave artists, writer Federico Garcia Lorca (Javier Beltran) and filmmaker Luis Bunuel (Matthew McNulty) ... when, in Madrid in 1922, they are joined at their school by the artistic genius who becomes a new friend to both - the very young painter, Salvador Dali (Robert Pattinson). Bearing in mind that Madrid in 1922 was heavily influenced by the church and a strictly conservative government that tolerated NO forms of personal freedom (social, artistic or sexual) in its people, and you have three men who quietly fought to have their forces heard, often risking arrest or worse if they yelled too loudly.

The film begins with Dali's arrival at school, and Garcia Lorca and Bunuel's instant infatuation with his talent. Garcia Lorca (almost painfully brought to real - and really sensitive - life by a terrific Javier Beltran), in particular, becomes fascinated with Dali the man (who Pattinson - showing off acting chops here FAR beyond Edward Cullen - makes quirky while never falling into caricature) ... so much so, the two become friends to the point of isolating everyone else. This includes Bunuel, who soon grows to suspect that there may be more than a friendship brewing between the two men.

And in truth, as the film develops so does the love (and lust) Garcia Lorca finds himself developing for Salvador. A love whose affection is returned, even as the young men grow closer and Dali's personality gets stranger. The two men are (at first) very careful to keep the true nature of their relationship a secret, particularly when the day's moral code could get them thrown into a prison camp - complete with years of hard labor - for any signs of homosexuality. But as Dali's behavior gets more out of control, his ego growing to mammoth proportions as his fame does the same, the relationship begins to strain ... as, seemingly, does Dali's sanity - as the social and political climate in Spain grows that much more dangerous for any artist speaking his/her mind.

The film is, supposedly, loosely based on some revelations Dali made toward the end of his life about his relationship with Garcia Lorca, after years of denying anything more than a friendship existed between them. Anyone wanting to see some Pattinson skin beyond a shirtless shot - or even Pattinson in a heated clench (or two) with another guy - should find those scenes of the film interesting, as well. But despite some people spewing about Pattinson being a bit over the top as Dali, I really liked his performance, as well as the film. Yeah, the Spanish accents by the British actors are very weak at times, straining believability a bit, but that didn't hurt the film for me. Also of note is a standout performance by Marina Gatell, as a close friend to Garcia Lorca who is secretly in love with him. Every time she's on screen the whole film just lights up.

This might be one of those films that you either like or hate, with no middle ground. For me, I found the story and performances intriguing and emotionally involving - especially by Javier Beltran. This was the first film of his I've seen, but it won't be the last. *** - Reel Cool