Robert Pattinson's new movie, Little Ashes, has been greeted by a mixed reception from critics.

The film, directed by Paul Morrison, is Rob's first major role since Twilight, although it was shot before the vampire sensation was released last year.

The Telegraph said the actor “goes for broke” as a young Salvador Dali, but overall the film "is a good deal too amateur-Brideshead to be believed”.

The critic for the New York Times noted how the film's two major themes – life in Spain before the Civil War and avant-garde surrealism – failed to “come alive”.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times said Little Ashes was “beautiful to watch but it takes only a light wind to leave the story in tatters”.

Rob plays an 18-year-old Dali in the movie just as the surrealist painter arrives at university in Madrid.

It is during his studies when Dali encounters Federico García Lorca, played by Javier, and the pair strike up an intimate relationship.

The film has already received widespread attention around the world as a result of the success of Twilight.

The film goes on general release from today.

Robert Pattinson - The Movie History