Tetro 2009
Directed by
Francis Ford Coppola
Made by
American Zoetrope
Plot Summary
Shortly before celebrating his eighteenth birthday, Bennie Tetrocini, the son of the abusive yet renowned conductor Carlo Tetrocini, decides to escape his prep school. He finds work as a waiter on a cruise line, but the ship soon breaks down in Buenos Aires, where he unexpectedly reconnects with his half-brother Angelo, who prefers to be called Tetro. Tetro, who left the family years ago to pursue a career in writing, harbors deep-seated resentment and refuses to recognize Bennie as his brother. Meanwhile, Tetro’s girlfriend, Miranda, a compassionate psychiatrist with a past connection to Tetro, welcomes Bennie into their home, despite Tetro’s harsh demeanor.
As Bennie’s birthday approaches, Tetro reveals that he wrote a play about their family, featuring Carlo and his brother Alfie, who abandoned Tetro in his search for success. Bennie discovers Tetro’s script, written in a secret code they both learned during their time at prep school, and begins to transcribe key sections that reference their troubled family dynamics. During this time, Bennie attends a burlesque production of Faust where Tetro is handling the lighting. Tensions rise when Tetro confronts actor and playwright Abelardo, only to be interrupted by a surprise visit from his old mentor, Alone, with whom he has a complicated history.
In the midst of family struggles, Bennie inadvertently violates Tetro’s rule about discussing their past when he gives Miranda one of Carlo’s CDs. This ignites a fierce argument, revealing Tetro’s failures and broken promises regarding bringing Bennie away from their father’s grasp. Bennie’s journey becomes even more perilous when he tries to save a puppy, resulting in an accident that lands him in the hospital and causes him to miss his ship. With his circumstances changing, he continues to live with Tetro, while Miranda secretly facilitates his writing of the play.
When a crisis strikes the Tetrocini family—Carlo suffers a stroke—they summon both brothers back home, but Tetro refuses. Bennie’s determination to understand his family legacy leads him to transcribe parts of Tetro’s play, especially the emotional sections regarding Tetro’s heartbreak over Naomi, who Tetro believes was stolen from him by Carlo. Bennie’s creativity begins to flourish, and he writes an adaptation titled Wander Lust, which earns him a place as a finalist in a festival run by Alone.
As the family travels to the festival, complications ensue, including Bennie’s first intimate experience with actresses and Tetro’s abrupt disappearance before the performance. However, Tetro ultimately confronts Bennie, confessing that he is in fact his biological father, and that Naomi is his mother—who endures a tragic fate after revealing the family’s complex lineage. This revelation culminates in a tense moment when Tetro asks Bennie to enact the violent ending of his play, but Bennie refuses.
The narrative takes another dark turn when Carlo passes away, leading to a poignant funeral in Buenos Aires. Tetro seizes the opportunity to reclaim his family legacy by taking Carlo’s baton and offering it to Alfie. In a moment of rebellion, Bennie, dressed to embody Tetro’s spirit, reveals their truth to Miranda and the family, igniting a destructive fire. Ultimately, he yearns for a reconnection with Tetro, leading to an emotional climax where Tetro accepts Bennie as his son, and they reconcile, affirming that “we’re a family.”
Timeline
Bennie's Escape
Shortly before his eighteenth birthday, Bennie Tetrocini makes the bold decision to escape from his abusive upbringing at a prep school. Determined to find his own path, he leaves behind the oppressive environment and seeks a new life at sea as a waiter on a cruise line.
Cruise Ship Breakdown
Bennie's newfound job takes a sudden turn when the cruise ship he works on breaks down in Buenos Aires. This unexpected event brings him back to a familiar, yet challenging, environment where he must confront his family's past.
Reunion with Tetro
In Buenos Aires, Bennie unexpectedly reunites with his half-brother, Tetro, who has distanced himself from the family. Tetro's cold reception brings forth deep-seated feelings of resentment as he refuses to recognize Bennie as his brother.
Bennie's New Home
Despite Tetro's harsh demeanor, his girlfriend Miranda opens their home to Bennie. As a compassionate psychiatrist, she tries to bridge the gap between the brothers while navigating Tetro's difficult personality.
Discovery of the Play
As Bennie's birthday draws near, Tetro reveals he has written a play about their tumultuous family history. Bennie discovers Tetro's script, which he learns is coded with secrets of their shared past, igniting his curiosity about their family dynamics.
Burlesque Production
Bennie attends a burlesque production of *Faust*, where Tetro is in charge of the lighting. This environment heightens the tensions between Tetro and actor Abelardo, leading to a confrontation that underscores Tetro's frustrations with his career and family.
Argument with Miranda
Bennie's unintentional violation of Tetro's rule regarding discussing their past leads to a fierce argument with Miranda. This reveals the unresolved pain in Tetro's life and his failures, especially concerning his relationship with their father Carlo.
Accident and Hospitalization
Bennie's kind heart leads him to save a puppy, resulting in a serious accident that lands him in the hospital. This incident leads him to miss his ship and forces him to stay with Tetro and Miranda, where he begins to explore his creative side.
Family Crisis - Carlo's Stroke
A family crisis unfolds when Carlo suffers a stroke, prompting the brothers to return home. Bennie, while grappling with his loyalty and desire to understand his family's legacy, begins to transcribe emotional parts of Tetro's play that address family heartbreaks.
Bennie's Creative Journey
Bennie's creativity flourishes as he writes his adaptation titled *Wander Lust*, drawing inspiration from Tetro's experiences. His work earns him a spot as a finalist in a prestigious festival run by his old mentor Alone.
Festival Complications
As the family heads to the festival, complications arise, including Bennie's first intimate moments with actresses. Tetro's abrupt disappearance adds tension and uncertainty, leaving Bennie to navigate his emotions and expectations alone.
Tetro's Revelation
In a dramatic confrontation, Tetro reveals to Bennie that he is actually his biological father. This shocking disclosure unravels the family's complex lineage, including the tragedy surrounding their mother, Naomi.
Carlo's Death and Funeral
The narrative takes a somber turn with Carlo's death, leading to a poignant funeral in Buenos Aires. Tetro seizes this moment to reclaim his family legacy by taking Carlo's baton, which signifies a pivotal moment of acceptance and authority.
Bennie's Rebellion
In an act of rebellion, Bennie dresses to embody Tetro’s spirit and exposes their family truths to Miranda and others during the funeral. This reckless act ignites a destructive fire, symbolizing his internal turmoil regarding familial connections.
Reconciliation
The story culminates in an emotional climax where Bennie and Tetro reconcile as father and son. Tetro finally acknowledges Bennie's place in his life, affirming their bond with the declaration that 'we're a family,' sealing their journey of healing and acceptance.
Characters
Bennie Tetrocini
Bennie is a young man on the verge of adulthood, grappling with the implications of his familial relationships. His journey from a sheltered life to seeking the truth about his family evokes themes of resilience and self-discovery. He embodies youthful curiosity and a longing for connection.
Tetro
Tetro, also known as Angelo, is a complex character burdened by his past and the weight of family expectations. He is a passionate writer whose struggles with resentment and identity form the heart of the story. His character arc drives home the themes of reconciliation and understanding.
Miranda
Miranda is Tetro's compassionate girlfriend, playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between Bennie and Tetro. Her nurturing nature and professional background as a psychiatrist add depth to her character, highlighting the importance of empathy in overcoming family conflicts.
Setting
Time period
The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, showcasing the struggles of a modern family as they navigate emotional turmoil and reconciliation. The dynamics are punctuated by a mix of personal aspirations and familial obligations that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Location
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina, is known for its rich cultural heritage and artistic scene. It serves as a backdrop for family dramas and personal transformations, reflecting the complexities of life through its streets and artistic venues.
Themes
💔
Family Conflict
Family conflict is a central theme in 'Tetro,' manifested through the complex relationships among Bennie, Tetro, and their father, Carlo. The narrative explores resentment, abandonment, and the quest for acceptance, highlighting the emotional turbulence that can arise from familial ties.
🎭
Art and Expression
Art and expression serve as a crucial outlet for the characters, particularly through Tetro's playwriting. The movie illustrates how creative endeavors can help process trauma and reveal painful truths, allowing characters to confront their past and strive for personal growth.
🌪️
Identity Crisis
The theme of identity crisis permeates the film as Bennie seeks to understand his place within a fractured family. This journey of self-discovery intertwines with his artistic aspirations, prompting him to redefine his connection to Tetro and his own heritage.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.