Colin Farrell as an Italian-American?

Stephen Cooper, who edited The John Fante Reader (available in paperback from Ecco) and also wrote the Fante biography, Full of Life, about which Book magazine had this to say, which I bring up any time anyone ever mentions Fante in my presence, and which anybody who wants to learn what it was like for writers to be down and out in Los Angeles should find a copy of and read right now, wrote to let me know things are moving forward with Robert Towne's film version of Fante's most famous (and, to many, best) novel, Ask the Dust. Towne will be writing and directing (for the first time since Without Limits, the "other" Prefontaine biopic), with Colin Farrell as Fante's literary alter ego Arturo Bandini. Also starring Selma Hayek and Donald Sutherland. This somewhat condescending review of the Reader at least includes a powerful excerpt from the novel that displays Fante's ability to shock readers awake; here's a less combative take from the AV Club at the Onion.

This is actually the British cover to the biography, but I like it better than either of the American covers and, frankly, it might be the easiest version to get hold of if you're looking to buy right now, and you really should. But don't forget to try your public libraries!