Tetro
Family reunions turn testy in smart Coppola produced Latin treat
Francis Ford Coppola has not lost a step. Trust the director of one of the greatest movies of all time, The Godfather, to continue making artistic films of merit. South America is the centre of attraction in Tetro, a drama full of conflict now unraveling internationally courtesy of Mongel Media.
Families can be strange affairs. When a young lad turns up unexpectedly at his brother’s retreat it unleashes a series of events that wreck havoc on all sorts of lives. One would think relatives would be happy when long-lost family turn up. Here anything is but ordinary as heartstrings are pulled in any number of different directions.
Coppola brings Memorable Family to life
Former American transplant Tetro just wants to be left alone. Today this gallant gent is holed up in an apartment at an artistic quarter somewhere in a big Argentine city along with comely local gal pal Miranda. Locals seem to adore Tetro as he’s also connected to the neighbourhood’s burgeoning artistic community. Everything Tetro has worked for gets turned on its ear when Bennie arrives on the scene.
Also from the United States Bennie is young and just wants to reconnect with his lost long brother. Unfortunately for Bennie that feeling is not mutual as the two break into a tug of war. Caught in the middle of this confrontation that slowly boils to the surface is Miranda, who wants the fellows to grow up and act like adults.
Strange things have come between Bennie and Tetro. Through some masterful flashbacks we see their early life and the impact those close to them had on their childhood and growing up phase. Coppola beautifully stakes out these two men whose passion for the truth and ability to hide things away makes Tetro a wonderful suspense laden movie filled up with beautiful Latin American scenery and very engaging performances.
One hallmark of a great film is to get the unexpected. Events unfold here that have an appropriate, reasoned build-up but then get turned on their head. Audiences will be amazed at how quickly things can turn when all is not as it appears.
Vincent Gallo shines as displanted Brother
Strong as an ox in the commanding persona of Tetro is Vincent Gallo (The Perez Family) who manages to navigate through untold minefields as the mercurial Tetro. Leonardo di Caprio look-a-like Alden Ehrenreich shines as the naïve Bennie whose growth here will impress all. Sights of Latin America are in full abundance here as the atmosphere of the whole theatrical scene is well presented. Efforts at combining a host of different artistic genres add to the appeal of this film that does have an avant garde flavour to it.
Other standout performances here include Maribel Verdu as the leading lady whose efforts at welcoming a foreign guest into their midst will surely impress. Also, top German actor Klaus Maria Brandauer seems to have added a pound or two around the midriff since his days as James Bond’s foe in Never Say Never Again but still makes a good impact as an older statesmen of sorts.
Francis Ford Coppola not only directed but also produced and wrote this story. Whenever this master filmmaker does inter- generational films or even those that involve family they are always interesting. Perhaps a touch long and with some close-ups and other shots that seem too repetitive if not self-indulgent these minor faults still take nothing away from the beauty of this story and the musical accompaniment that puts you in a heavenly mood despite a few unexpected shocks along the way. Again with Tetro Coppola rises to the top and for 127 minutes will leave you enthralled with these small characters and their larger than life problems.
Vincent Gallo
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