This Must Be the Place 2012
Directed by
Paolo Sorrentino
Made by
Weinstein Company, The
Plot Summary
Cheyenne, a wealthy former rock star, finds himself feeling bored and disillusioned after a two-decade hiatus in Dublin. His retirement followed the tragic suicides of two teenage fans, which left him in a state of deep reflection. He embarks on a journey to New York with the aim of reconciling with his estranged father during his father’s final moments, only to arrive after it’s too late. The reason Cheyenne provides for their thirty-year silence is rooted in his father’s rejection when he chose to wear goth make-up at the age of 15.
Upon discovering his father’s diary, Cheyenne learns about the harrowing experiences his father endured while imprisoned in Auschwitz, particularly at the hands of the former SS officer, Alois Lange. In search of closure, he consults Mordecai Midler, a professional Nazi hunter, who tells him that Lange is inconsequential compared to other historical figures.
Determined to confront his father’s past, Cheyenne sets off on a cross-country quest to locate Lange. Along the way, he encounters Lange’s wife, granddaughter, and a businessman. His journey leads him to a gun shop where he purchases a powerful weapon. It is here that a bystander delivers a poignant soliloquy about a particular pistol that allows individuals to “kill with impunity.” He reflects that this power transforms people into monsters, stating, > “if we’re licensed to be monsters we end up having just one desire – to truly be monsters.”
Eventually, with Mordecai’s assistance, Cheyenne tracks down Lange, who is now blinded by time. In their encounter, Lange reveals that he had received letters from Cheyenne’s father for many years. He recounts the humiliating moment that fueled Cheyenne’s father’s obsession, suggesting that while it was traumatic, it pales in comparison to the horrors of Auschwitz. Despite viewing this as a “minor incident,” Lange admits to respecting the man’s relentless commitment to his own misery.
In a haunting moment, Cheyenne takes a photograph of Lange and whispers that it was an injustice for his father to pass away before Lange. In a chilling act of retribution, Cheyenne forces the frail, blind Lange to walk out into the harsh salt flats, vulnerable and exposed like a Holocaust victim. Soon after, Cheyenne and Mordecai drive away, leaving Lange in his isolation.
On his return flight—overcoming his previous fear of flying—Cheyenne undergoes a profound transformation. He cuts his long rock-star hair, abandons his goth make-up, jewelry, and flamboyant outfits, signaling a new chapter in his life.
Timeline
Cheyenne's Disillusionment
Cheyenne, a wealthy former rock star, grapples with feelings of boredom and disillusionment after a lengthy retirement in Dublin. His hiatus is particularly affected by the tragic suicides of two teenage fans, leaving him to reflect deeply on his life choices and the impact of fame.
Journey to New York
In search of reconciliation and closure, Cheyenne embarks on a journey to New York to connect with his estranged father. However, upon his arrival, he discovers that he is too late and his father has already passed away.
Discovering the Past
Cheyenne finds his father's diary, which reveals harrowing insights into his father's experiences during his imprisonment in Auschwitz. He learns that his father's suffering was compounded by a former SS officer named Alois Lange, who played a significant role in his trauma.
Meeting Mordecai Midler
Determined to confront the ghosts of his father's past, Cheyenne seeks the help of Mordecai Midler, a professional Nazi hunter. Mordecai informs Cheyenne that while Lange might seem significant, there are larger historical figures to focus on.
The Quest for Alois Lange
Cheyenne makes it his mission to locate Alois Lange, embarking on a cross-country quest that takes him through various encounters and revelations. This journey becomes a means of processing his father's despair and seeking personal closure.
Encounters Along the Way
During his quest, Cheyenne meets Lange's wife, granddaughter, and a businessman who each offer their own perspectives and reflections. These encounters provide a larger context about Lange and the people affected by his past.
Purchasing a Weapon
Cheyenne stops at a gun shop where he purchases a powerful weapon, highlighting the gravity of his intentions. An insightful bystander shares a soliloquy about the nature of power and the transformation it brings, provoking deeper thoughts within Cheyenne.
Confronting Lange
With assistance from Mordecai, Cheyenne finally locates the now-blind Alois Lange. During their tense encounter, Lange reveals he had been receiving letters from Cheyenne’s father, uncovering the emotional weight and history that connects them.
Lange's Reflection
Lange shares a story about a traumatic incident that fueled Cheyenne's father's obsession, yet he downplays its significance compared to the atrocities of Auschwitz. This leads Cheyenne to reevaluate the complexities of pain and suffering that accompany their connection.
Photographic Revelation
In a moment of haunting clarity, Cheyenne captures a photograph of Lange and whispers a painful truth about his father's unfulfilled desire for justice. This act symbolizes Cheyenne's struggle to find balance between vengeance and understanding.
The Reckoning
Cheyenne forces the vulnerable Lange to walk on salt flats, mirroring the suffering of Holocaust victims. This chilling act becomes both a confrontation of past wrongs and a symbolic gesture of retribution for his father's pain.
Driving Away
After leaving Lange alone and exposed, Cheyenne and Mordecai drive away, reflecting on the gravity of their actions. This moment marks a significant turning point in Cheyenne’s emotional journey as he leaves behind a haunting chapter.
Transformation on the Flight
On his return flight, Cheyenne confronts his fear of flying and experiences a profound personal transformation. This flight symbolizes his journey toward self-acceptance and the shedding of his former identity.
A New Beginning
As part of his transformation, Cheyenne cuts his long rock-star hair and discards his goth make-up, jewelry, and flamboyant outfits. This act signifies his intention to embrace a new chapter in life, moving away from the shadows of the past.
Characters
Cheyenne
Cheyenne is a wealthy former rock star struggling with boredom and disillusionment. His character is marked by a deep sense of loss and a quest for meaning following personal tragedies. His journey reveals layers of vulnerability and complexity as he confronts his father's past and his own identity.
Alois Lange
Alois Lange is a former SS officer whose past actions during the Holocaust haunt the narrative. Now frail and blind, he remains a pivotal figure in Cheyenne's quest for understanding and closure. His bemusement towards Cheyenne's father's obsession reflects the disconnect between trauma and perception.
Mordecai Midler
Mordecai is a professional Nazi hunter, representing a voice of pragmatism amid the emotional journey. His guidance serves as a catalyst for Cheyenne's pursuit of justice while also pointing out the futility of vengeance. He embodies the complexities of navigating historical truths.
Setting
Time period
The film traverses contemporary times, exploring themes related to the past through the lens of personal tragedy and historical trauma. Cheyenne's reflections reveal the weight of history's impact on present lives, particularly the struggle for reconciliation after decades of silence.
Location
Dublin, New York, Auschwitz, Salt Flats
Dublin serves as the backdrop for Cheyenne's state of disillusionment, contrasting his previous fame as a rock star. His journey takes him to New York, where he seeks closure and reconnection with his estranged father. Auschwitz represents a dark chapter of history, symbolizing suffering and the quest for understanding. The harsh salt flats provide a desolate landscape that reflects Cheyenne's emotional turmoil.
Themes
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Redemption
Cheyenne's quest for closure encapsulates a powerful theme of redemption, as he seeks to confront his father's past and the legacy of trauma. His journey forces him to reconcile personal pain with historical atrocities, challenging his identity and purpose. Ultimately, it embodies the relentless pursuit of peace amidst sorrow.
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Identity
The theme of identity is central to Cheyenne's character, as he grapples with his image as a former rock star weighed down by his past. His transformation throughout the film symbolizes a quest for authenticity, shedding the trappings of fame to explore his true self. His struggle with acceptance and understanding of his father's legacy exemplifies the complexities of identity.
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Justice
The quest for justice permeates Cheyenne's journey, particularly regarding his father's experiences during the Holocaust. Cheyenne's confrontation with Alois Lange underscores the often elusive nature of justice for historical wrongs. It raises questions about moral responsibility and the impact of personal trauma on the pursuit of retribution.
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