Real time review/thoughts on Francis Ford Coppola's Tetro Opening credits - the rotational use of view, playing with the lights focusing in and out was interesting. For some reason this reminded me of the opening credits of North by North west. You see a simplistic sequence of the credits starting on an open canvas being built layer upon layer of what then turns into the facade of the opening shot. It goes along with the whole theme of the movie where your view is distorted and while it may seem simple and clear at the start turns out to be something more complex and connected with it's context in the end. I'm assuming we're given a distorted notional of view for a purpose.
[update after watching the end] In my opinion the light which Tetro is glazing upon in such disdain at the beginning represents the spotlight and torment that comes with his celebrity family (living in the spotlight)
Who's Ava Gardner? There has to be something said about a few key choices that's made.
Black and White - With the use of current technology and fads (like iMAX and 3D) it's refreshing to see a film done in black & white. The B&W setup allows a more emphasis on light, shadows and forms to play and be clearly read across the screen. When Tetro compares his girlfriend to Ava Gardner and Bennie responds with "Who's Ava Gardner?" This is clearly a statement of the disconnection with our past. With cinema in this case of the disconnection, but as Tetro reveals his unwillingness to disclose his past to those currently around him it's understandable why Tetro doesn't scolds Bennie for not knowing who Ava Gardner is.
Memory sequences - have to just say love the fact that the memory sequences are in color. I interpret it in the sense that as we dwell in the past those visions may be more vivid and richer than how we perceive our president.
Music Score by Osvaldo Golijov - The music just plain out works. It's noninvasive to the story, nor towards the dialogue rather it enhances the narrative.
One can see the contrast of the two stages of the brothers. Tetro has lived in a self loathing life full of pain from his past experiences. The derivative stories in which Bennie has read and ultimately ripped off in order to discover his families story are uniquely precious to Tetro. While he wants to shelter those shattering memories from others for him to bare alone, Bennie is disregardful and reckless broadcasting his brother's accounts. Regardless of these fundamental differences you're reminded throughout the film of similarities of the two (both has broken legs, both writers, after meeting Miranda urges his gf to cut her hair short). Without giving too much away, I'll just say that it's a really excellent well executed film all around. The build up towards the end and the amount of suspense and emotions that we're given for these characters are astounding. One of the best films I've seen in the past 5 years.