Review of Tetro (2009) by Michael O — 16 Jun 2009

Film tastes in this country are really beginning to puzzle me. I wondered aloud to my friend if it was the recession that's turning Americans on arthouse films or anything else risky in art and my friend summed it up clearly: "In America, we always save our receipts." So, I wasn't surprised when I found critics and net bloggers turned on or looked down on the movie for its ambition, 'artiness', and for vitality of the director.

Movies are expected to be television. "Gimme 'Star Trek'!" Well, Coppola is a 70 year old man and he's gonna do things his way. He's gonna cast Vincent Gallo and Alden Ehrenreich. Two faces that are instantly iconic in sleek HD black and white. He's gonna cast Maribel Verdu in his movie to act as a visual meme for the seduction that drives two men to rivalry or forms a strong bond (as we've seen her done before so beautifully in Y Tu Mama Tambien). In his movie he casts Carmen Maura to echo Fellini and grace each scene with the mystery of Almodovar she carries with her. This movie is made by a master for those who still love movies. He's gonna give you a movie that is truly a movie.

Seeing 'Tetro' on the big screen the only way to see it. If you're fortunate enough to live in LA then go to The Landmark theater in Santa Monica and watch this sucker in full-on HD projection. Brilliantly colored Powell & Pressburger style tangos appear on screen as if you were in a prestige performing arts hall. The expressions are enormous and operatic as they unfold across the screen echoing the days when actors were as big as gods. No kidding at all, I hope to experience this exploration of ancient themes and cinematic love again really soon.