Of course I had to rent this from Netflix because it has Robert Pattinson in it, and my wife is a fan, not only from Harry Potter, but also from Twilight. Of course also love the artwork of Dáli, and the films of his that I have seen, so seeing a story based on his younger years does have some appeal, and this film does it well. It is about the homosexual love between Dáli and the writer Federico García Loca, and also their friendship with the filmmaker Luis Bunuel. This sad film is very well directed and acted, though the use of documentary footage at times served to pull me out, instead of into the film (even if it was supposed to be indicative of Bunuel’s work, it really did not work for me). Still the actors all do excellent jobs, and the film is gorgeously shot, and well worth checking out. Pattinson really proves there is more to him, then just playing Edward Cullen, though I am sure many Twihards will not want to see him playing a strange bisexual character.

In 1922 the 18 year old Salvador Dáli (Robert Pattinson) came to university in Madrid. The strange introverted painter, was taken into a group of friend’s by the gregarious filmmaker Luis Bunuel (Matthew McNulty) where he meets the writer Federico García Loca (Javier Beltran). They become fast friends in a group of collegiate modernists. Luis dreams of going to Paris and being something in the world, while Federico hopes to change Spain and make it a better place. Federico is pursued by the writer Magdalena (Marina Gatell), but he never succumbs, and he and Salvador become fast friends. Salvador and Federico spend the summer together at Salvador’s families home.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS…

The pair become closer and closer, eventually kissing while swimming in the water at night. The two never fully have sex, as Salvador is hurt, and pushes Federico away.
Back at school things are different. Luis feels left out. He is already homophobic, and when he ends up reading Federico’s journal he is appalled. Luis ends up going to the gay pickup part of town and beating up a gay man. He then leaves for Paris to find his own fortune.

Dali can’t handle Federico anymore either, and eventually he leaves to go with Luis to Paris.

Federico is completely crushed by this. Magdalena tries to get him to go away with her, but he won’t, especially when he sees that Dali has returned.

Dali is totally different now, and he ends up dropping out of school. Federico tries to get close to Salvadore again, but he pushes him away, though stays when Magdalena shows up and makes love to Federico while Dali watches.

Years pass, and Dalí has become involved with a woman named Gala (Arly Jover) who is already married, and who is still sleeping all around town. Luis meanwhile has become friends again with Federico since he is no longer friends with Salvador. Salvador is a bit nuts, affecting the total artist, who has even been kicked out of the surrealist art movement for his love of money.

Salvador calls for Federico to come and visit him in Paris. Federico barely knows the man anymore, who does not care for the people anymore (while Federico actively helps the people in Span). Salvador tries to convince Federico to join him and Gala and head to America to take it by storm, as Salvador has obviously realized his love for Federico.

Federico leaves Salvador for the last time, heading back to Spain. Luis warns him to hide because the government is after him, but Federico refuses, and returns to his home town. While he is there, he is picked up by the Fascist government and is executed.

Salvador is crushed, but does not show it, and goes on with his life, only talking about the relationship at the end of his life.

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Quite an enjoyable film, though I would love to know just how much of this is accurate, and how much is conjecture. Pattinson does an amazing job as Dali though, showing depth I have never seen, and really going crazy with him at the end.

Worth checking out, though not amazing.