Whilst undoubtedly several of Francis Ford Coppola’s best movies have been based on adaptations; The Godfather, Dracula, and The Outsiders to name but three, it’s always when he’s worked with original material that he's truly shone as a director. ‘Tetro’ is the first original script from Coppola since 1974’s Palme d’Or winning ‘The Conversation’. Originally released in the States last summer it’s taken a year to secure distribution for the film in the UK.
‘Tetro’ is centred on the familial fallout of a domineering father and the emotional rivalry between two brothers. Starring Vincent Gallo as the eponymous lead and newcomer Alden Ehrenreich as Bennie, the younger brother, the film was shot in Argentina and features the stunning black and white photography (with occasional colour flashes) reminiscent of his earlier work in ‘Rumblefish’.
Bennie has held his elder absent brother on a pedestal ever since he flew the nest several years previously. Hellbent on tracking him down, Bennie travels to Buenos Aires in order to find him. However, his brother is a shadow of his former self, once a successful author he is now a broken man living under an assumed name; who is not best pleased at being found.
After poking around Tetro’s apartment Bennie uncovers and unfinished/unpublished manuscript written intriguingly in reverse handwriting. On reading it he realises it’s autobiographical, which is possibly why he decides it would be a good idea to adapt it himself (much to his brothers consternation). The resulting work is them turned into a popular play instigating Tetro to reveal some secrets he has been keeping himself. Can we expect a shocking 'Festen' like denouement?
There’s been much speculation that the film itself is loosely autobiographical, especially that the father in the film is a conductor as was Coppolas’. Whilst the director has denied any direct basis for this assertion he did admit ‘it was all true’ but none of it happened’; which is evasive but probably as close to the truth as we’re ever likely to get.
'Tetro' hits cinemas in the UK on 25th June.