Tetro Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cruise ship waiter visits his reclusive brother in Argentina and accidentally rewrites his life, one stage play at a time.

🍿 Tetro: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Bennie’s Arrival in Buenos Aires

Bennie, a young waiter on a cruise ship, arrives in Buenos Aires during a layover. He seeks out his estranged older brother, Angelo, who now goes by the name Tetro. Tetro is a tormented figure, living a reclusive life with his girlfriend, Miranda, seemingly haunted by a dark past and a complicated family history.

Unearthing Family Secrets

Bennie’s arrival stirs up long-buried tensions and secrets. Tetro is initially resistant to reconnecting, but Bennie’s persistence and curiosity lead him to discover fragments of Tetro’s unfinished writing. These writings hint at a dysfunctional family dynamic dominated by their famous composer father and veiled in tragedy.

Collaboration and Confrontation

Intrigued by the fragmented narrative, Bennie takes it upon himself to complete Tetro’s work, turning it into a play. This act of collaboration, however, ignites a confrontation as Tetro is forced to confront his past and the reasons for his self-imposed exile. The brothers begin a journey of unraveling the truth about their family, leading to shocking revelations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Angelo ‘Tetro’ Tetrocini (Vincent Gallo): A troubled, once-promising writer living in self-imposed exile in Buenos Aires, haunted by his family’s past and creative frustrations.
• Bennie (Alden Ehrenreich): Tetro’s younger brother who seeks to reconnect with him and uncover the secrets of their shared family history.
• Miranda (Maribel Verdú): Tetro’s compassionate and understanding girlfriend who tries to mediate between him and Bennie.
• Carlo Tetrocini (Klaus Maria Brandauer): The brothers’ overbearing and famous composer father whose actions deeply impacted their lives.
• Alone (Carmen Maura): A powerful and influential critic in South America whose past connection with Tetro adds another layer of complexity to his life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tetro: “Angie is dead. My name is Tetro.” – Tetro states this to his younger brother, Bennie, rejecting his past identity and attempting to create a new persona.
• Tetro: “You stay away from me, got it?” – Tetro’s initial hostile reaction to Bennie’s arrival reveals his desire to keep his past buried and avoid emotional entanglement.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $518,522
• Worldwide Gross: $2,874,474

💥 Tetro Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into ‘Tetro’ from the start. The black and white cinematography gave it such a classic feel, and the story was so intense. The scene where Bennie first confronts Tetro about their father gave me chills, and the ending twist genuinely surprised me! It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Francis Ford Coppola’s work”
  • “Viewers interested in family dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate art house cinema”
  • “People interested in stories set in Argentina”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Some violence”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Coppola delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant family drama set against the vibrant backdrop of Buenos Aires. While the pacing occasionally falters, the performances, particularly Ehrenreich’s, elevate the film beyond mere melodrama.
• Rolling Stone: “A deeply personal and visually arresting film from Coppola, ‘Tetro’ explores themes of family, ambition, and artistic struggle with raw honesty. Gallo’s intense performance anchors the film, while Ehrenreich shines as the naive younger brother searching for answers.
• Variety: “Though at times overreaching in its operatic ambitions, ‘Tetro’ is a bold and visually striking work from Coppola. The black-and-white cinematography is gorgeous, and the performances are uniformly strong, making this a rewarding experience for fans of art-house cinema.

Audience Reactions

The complex family relationships and the underlying secrets are what kept me hooked until the end.: Viewers praise the film’s visual style, strong performances, and emotionally charged narrative.

Alden Ehrenreich’s performance was really remarkable. Such a captivating presence.: Praise often highlights Ehrenreich’s portrayal of Bennie, noting his charisma and emotional depth.

Overall Consensus: ‘Tetro’ is generally regarded as a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film, though some find its operatic style and pacing to be occasionally overbearing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Francis Ford Coppola stated that ‘Tetro’ is the kind of film he aspired to make early in his career, before achieving mainstream success.”
• “The film’s visual style was influenced by classic films like ‘On the Waterfront’ and ‘La Notte’, aiming for a stark, expressive black and white aesthetic.”
• “The film incorporates elements of opera and ballet, reflecting Coppola’s interest in these art forms and their ability to convey intense emotions.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tetro?

As of October 2024, Tetro is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check JustWatch for local streaming availability as options can vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tetro, you might like these similar films:

• Rumble Fish (1983): Shares the use of black and white cinematography with color flashes to enhance emotional moments and explores complex family relationships.
• The Godfather (1972): Explores themes of family, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power, similar to the familial tensions in ‘Tetro’.

🛒 Tetro Related Products

• Francis Ford Coppola: A Filmmaker’s Life: Explore the life and career of Francis Ford Coppola, featuring behind-the-scenes stories and insights into his films.
• The Godfather Trilogy (Blu-ray): Experience Coppola’s iconic crime saga in stunning high definition. A must-own for any film enthusiast.
• Buenos Aires Travel Guide: Explore the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, the setting of ‘Tetro’. Discover its culture, history, and hidden gems.
• Vintage Black and White Film Photography Prints: High-quality prints capturing the atmosphere and artistry of classic black and white films.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tetro features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “El Búho” – performed by Lisandro Aristimuño
• “Coppélia” – performed by Léo Delibes
• “The Tales of Hoffmann” – performed by Jacques Offenbach

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Francis Ford Coppola knew you wouldn’t like Megalopolis

Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a legendary director like Francis Ford Coppola? This podcast snippet might give you a clue, even if it’s about ‘Megalopolis,’ knowing his style is crucial to understanding ‘Tetro’!

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