Review of Tetro (2009) by Juan J — 07 Aug 2009

First off I'd like to give kudos to the local multiplex for screening Tetro, all apologies for G.i.Joe being spewed accross one less screen. Goin in, I didn't expect more than 4-5 people in there for a 4:30 showing. Surprisingly, there was maybe 8-9. This is not 18 screen multiplex fare, though there really is no reason it shouldn't be." Tetro" is arguably the most beautiful film I've seen released in 2009.

"Tetro" marks a triumphant return to form for the great Francis Ford Coppola after the earnest yet awkward "Youth Without Youth" from 2007. We're a long ways removed from the embarrassing Robin Williams flick 'Jack" from 1996 and the Grisham adaptation 'The Rainmaker" from 1997. Francis could easily chug wine and scarf down pasta from the Napa mountains, but he's still got a hunger for film and this is the work of a hungry, young artist out to make a statement. Fact is, if this was some 27 year old film prodigy who directed this, critics would be frothing at the mouth. Godfather 4 ain't happening, get over it.

Vincent Gallo and newcomer Alden Ehrenreich play brothers Tetro and Benny respectively and it's their rivalry within a family of rivalries that forms the core of the film. The acting is top notch, the black and white images on display here are breathtaking as well as the bursts of color photography including chunks of Powell's and Pressburger's "Tales of Hoffman".

I have complaint's with the way this film has been marketed and written up. Going in I expected a dense, convoluted mess and this was anything but. A real treat for fans of great film, and a reminder of the talents of Mr. Copolla.