Image courtesy of zikipediq.files.wordpress.comDirector: Francis Ford Coppola.
Actors: Vincent Gallo, Alden Ehrenreich, Maribel Verdu.
Where: Soho Film Lab, London.
71 years old he may be, but Francis Ford Coppola still knows how to have fun. With his new film Tetro the ‘new Hollywood’ heavyweight reproduces some of the form he displayed in some of his 20th century masterpieces like The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now. Combining this with the artistry demonstrated in the more independent The Outsiders and Rumble Fish, Tetro is a beautiful, visually arresting and dramatic piece of film-making.
Set mainly in the vibrant, bohemian ‘La Boca’ district of Buenos Aires, Tetro is a story of two brothers reacquainted after over 10 years apart. Indie film icon, Vincent Galllo, plays older brother Tetro a troubled writer who had sworn that he would never see his family again. Meanwhile, twenty year old newcomer Alden Ehrenreich plays younger brother Bennie, who is eager to heal the family wounds and get to know his estranged sibling. Initially this relationship is fraught with tension but as the film develops their bond grows.
Three stand-out, but very different, performances light this Film. Gallo, who has remained under the commercial radar for so long, will gain wider recognition for this role and we may see more of him because of it. As expected, he stinks of effortless cool throughout the 120 minutes, but Coppola also seems to get more substance from him than we’ve seen before in films like Buffalo 66. His striking Richard Ashcoft-esque, Rock ‘n’ Roll look serves his moody, emotional character well and his looks certainly fit with the film’s stylish direction.
Ehrenreich is a Hollywood star of the future and will have to put up with years of comparison with Leonardo De Caprio. They're impossible to ignore, however, he's got a bit more about him than just the looks. He credibly switches from the cute, nervous 17 year old younger brother in the first third of the film, to a driven and talented creative displaying a Buddy Holly haircut and a convincing desire to make a difference. So, a better looking De Caprio; not bad for someone still getting drunk at New York University student nights.
Image courtesy of zimbio.com
Completing the trio is the magnificent Maribel Verdu who has appeared in two of the most important films of the twenty first century: Alfonso Cuaron’s Y Tu Mama Tambien and Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. Here she maintains the high standards she has set and gives the film’s best performance as Miranda, the devoted and quite lovely girlfriend to Tetro. European cinema veterans Carmen Maura and Klaus Maria Brandauer complete the lineup and add depth to the film as the brother’s domineering father and a famous, literary critic.
In tone Tetro shifts from the vibrant buzz of urban Buenos Aires to the serenity of rural Patagonia with a black and white chic that befits the artistic nature of its director and cast. To better Coppola’s best work is impossible, but this is a 70’s film legend making films in the modern age and he’s still cutting it. Just when Tom Ford thought his use of pretty boys in beautifully crafted sunglasses would be enough to push him to the forefront of cinema, back comes one of the old masters to level things up. Tetro needs to be seen. We’ll be talking not only about the cast, but also the film itself, for years to come.
Three stand-out, but very different, performances light this Film. Gallo, who has remained under the commercial radar for so long, will gain wider recognition for this role and we may see more of him because of it. As expected, he stinks of effortless cool throughout the 120 minutes, but Coppola also seems to get more substance from him than we’ve seen before in films like Buffalo 66. His striking Richard Ashcoft-esque, Rock ‘n’ Roll look serves his moody, emotional character well and his looks certainly fit with the film’s stylish direction.
Ehrenreich is a Hollywood star of the future and will have to put up with years of comparison with Leonardo De Caprio. They're impossible to ignore, however, he's got a bit more about him than just the looks. He credibly switches from the cute, nervous 17 year old younger brother in the first third of the film, to a driven and talented creative displaying a Buddy Holly haircut and a convincing desire to make a difference. So, a better looking De Caprio; not bad for someone still getting drunk at New York University student nights.
Image courtesy of zimbio.comIn tone Tetro shifts from the vibrant buzz of urban Buenos Aires to the serenity of rural Patagonia with a black and white chic that befits the artistic nature of its director and cast. To better Coppola’s best work is impossible, but this is a 70’s film legend making films in the modern age and he’s still cutting it. Just when Tom Ford thought his use of pretty boys in beautifully crafted sunglasses would be enough to push him to the forefront of cinema, back comes one of the old masters to level things up. Tetro needs to be seen. We’ll be talking not only about the cast, but also the film itself, for years to come.
Rating: 7/10
Comments: FFC (nearly) back to his best.
Comments: FFC (nearly) back to his best.