Dali

Author(s): Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"Dalí”

Produced, Directed, and Written by: Tim Burton
Score by: Danny Elfman

Principal Cast:

John Turturro as Salvador Dalí
Izabella Scorupco as Gala Dali
Steve Buscemi as Luis Bunuel
Andy Garcia as Paul Eluard
Penelope Cruz as Ana Maria Dali
David Strathairn as Walt Disney
Alan Arkin as Pablo Picasso
Gael Garcia Bernal as Federico Garcia Lorca

Tagline: "Everyone has dreams. But only he painted them"

Synopsis: Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist artist. Known for being eccentric and extremely different, he was one of the leaders of the surrealist movement of the 20th century. His works are still celebrated today, with his most famous piece of work being "The Persistence of Memory". "Dalí" goes in and out of being Dalí's story and what was going on inside of his head. This is done with animation and claymation. Dalí helped shape was surrealist art has become.

Dalí studied at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid. Even then he was known for being eccentric. His moustache, clothing, haircut, and personality helped to define his social status, then and later in his life. At school he met a few of his best friends, Federico Lorca and Luis Bunuel. Dalí was expelled from the school after insulting the staff, which was a very Dali-like thing to do. Dalí went to France after being expelled and he then met Pablo Picasso. Picasso and Dalí became good friends and Picasso became one of Dalí's greatest influences.

In 1929, Dalí started to make films with his friend from college, Luis Bunuel. Dalí met Gala while filming and became extremely infatuated with her. By this time, Dalí had begun to paint. His most famous work, "The Persistence of Memory" was finished in 1931. Dalí and Gala married in 1934, and again in 1958. As Dalí continued with his life, he painted more famous paintings such as "The Temptation of St. Anthony", "Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening", and "The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus". Dalí teamed up with Walt Disney to make their Academy Award winning (posthumously) animated short film "Destino". Dalí was known for having extremely different ways of finding inspiration. Whether it had been wild sex parties or standing on his head, Dalí­ did it all.

Gala died in 1982. This greatly disturbed Dalí and he soon followed Gala in 1989. Dalí is often regarded as one of the world's greatest painters. His artwork still is commended today and his spirit lives on through his famous works.

What the press would say:

[Dalí" is the latest work of Tim Burton. Let me say now that it is one of his best films to date. John Turturro, in a dynamite performance, plays the infamous, eccentric painter, Salvador Dalí. Dalí is film is John Turturro's best performance he has ever given. The film shows Dalí, not only in the real world, but also his dreams. A large deal of the film deals with Dalí's dreams and visions. In the supporting category, Alan Arkin plays another famous painter, Pablo Picasso. Arkin's portrayal is also one of his best. Arkin has already won numerous precursor awards. He is Dalí's idol in the film and inspires much of his work. This is the perfect Tim Burton project and this is the perfect individual for Burton to make a biopic of. The film itself is very trippy, for lack of a better word. It is also very imaginative and inspiring. The way Dalí would apply himself and the way he would get his inspiration is just so interesting. John Turturro captures the eccentricities of Dali perfectly. Turturro will most likely get nominated, and he could possibly win. A nice little cameo from David Strathairn, reprising his role as Walt Disney, is included and his is featured during the famous collaboration between Disney and Dalí on their Academy Award winning animation "Destino". Danny Elfman is once again pairing up with Burton to do the score. It is the frontrunner for Best Original Score. Overall, "Dalí" is a must see for moviegoers. It is definitely a Burton film. It is creepy at times. Sad at times. Happy at times. Philosophical at times. Historical at times. This film has it all. "Dalí" is an enjoyable experience for start to finish. "Dalí" is an incredible experience and I recommend it to everyone who loves film...and everyone who doesn't.

Nominations

Best Picture- Tim Burton
Best Director- Tim Burton
Best Actor- John Turturro
Best Supporting Actor- Alan Arkin
Best Original Screenplay- Tim Burton
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Original Score- Danny Elfman