From Lobster telephones to melting clocks, most people on the planet have heard of Salvador Dali or have seen one of his paintings or creations, and most real film fans will also have seen the famous razor-slicing-an-eye at the start of Louis Bunuel’s collaborative film with Dali - Un Chien Andalou. But how many out there have heard of the work of poet Federico Garcia Lorca? And how many knew of the relationship he had with Dali while they all studied together in Madrid in the 1920s? These days of study and growth are at the centre of Little Ashes, which tells the story of Dali’s close relationship with Lorca and Bunuel during their formative years at university.

We begin in Madrid 1922 when an 18 year old Dali (Robert Pattinson) arrives at university determined to become a great artist.  His personality is starting to form and swings from being shy to rampant exhibitionism where he wants to attract the attention of the universities social elite including Federico Garcia Lorca (Javier Beltran) and Luis Bunuel (Matthew McNulty).  Dali falls in with the group and they soon become an unstoppable trio and leaders of their ultra-modern group of friends.  

But as time passes Dali is more and more attracted to Lorca and the trio’s bond is challenged forcing Bunuel to head for Paris to find his own success their.  Then while on holiday together Dali and Lorca become far closer than either of them could have imagined or planned to be and things change forever.

As many know about the later work of Dali and the fact that he was often so eccentric and mad acting in public it is a breath of fresh air to learn about his early life and how he may have become the man he did and this film although part biography of the man does try and do this but really at the centre of the film is the loving relationship between Dali and his friend Lorca.  

It is beautifully realised from the lavish and luscious locations to Adam Suschitzky’s stunning cinematography which manages to capture a real artistic feel for the film that compliments the material well.  The performances from the three leads are all excellent with kudos to Pattinson and McNulty for both pulling off good Spanish accents alongside the other native cast members without sounding like Manuel [from British comedy Fawlty Towers] at all!  In fact Pattinson here is proving, outside of dying in Harry Potter films and sulking in the Twilight, that he has real potential for the future should he decide to dump the teenage roles. McNulty also does well as Bunuel, even though he is the straight man (excuse me) to the other leads' more colourful performances but he only comes in and out of film really.  

It is Beltran that is the real centre of the film here as it really is his story that drives the narrative forward and his performance is nuanced and excellent.  But the film feels a little long in places and sags in the third act but picks up for a decent enough ending.  It’s an ambitious and intelligent film however, and well crafted by director Morrison with a good script and great score. It should be given a chance even if only to learn a little more about these 3 extraordinary men.

Starring Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltran & Matthew McNulty
Directed by Paul Morrison             
Cert: 15                    
Released: 8th May

Rating: ***

Want more? We've got more! Click HERE to read our interview with director Paul Morrison. 

Review by Mark Cappuccio