Y Tu Mama Tambien
3.5/4
Starring: Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Maribel Verdu
The version being reviewed is unrated. The Edited Version is rated R for Strong Sexual Content involving Teens, Drug Use and Language
The sad thing about American culture is that our attitudes towards sex are so backward. Teenagers aren't able to get an honest understanding of the ins and outs of sex and its complications. It's become a dirty joke or something to be feared.
True, the characters in this film do joke about sex (as teenagers do), but the film is uncensored in a way that is refreshing. There is a lot of sex in this film (some of which is very hot), but director Alfonso Cuaron doesn't tiptoe around it. He presents it in a matter of fact and realistic way. In American movies, even R-rated ones like "Basic Instinct" or "American Pie," sex is treated in such a coy way that robs it of all its mystery and excitement. Quick cuts, blankets and unrealistic "choreography" to the point of absurdity make the scenes feel immature and artificial.
Does that mean that "Y tu Mama Tambien" is pornographic? Not at all. Cuaron uses sex to tell a story. He does not mean to titillate (although, considering how convincing it is, that may happen to some viewers) or to shock. Rather, he uses it to illustrate the challenges that occur when sexual fantasy becomes reality.
Tenoche (Luna) and Julio (Bernal) have been best friends for years. While they are in different classes (Tenoche is extremely wealthy, while Julio is middle class), they are comfortable enough with each other to masturbate on diving boards and chase one another around the shower room naked (it makes you realize how our treatment of sex is so bizarre that attempts to think about it logically will turn your mind into a pretzel from hell). At a wedding, they meet the gorgeous wife of one of Tenoche's cousins. Her name is Luisa (Verdu). They invite her to come with them to Heaven's Mouth beach (which doesn't exist), but she shoots them down (she tells them that her husband would think it a wonderful idea). But when Luisa gets a call from her husband who drunkenly confesses to cheating on her, she takes them up on their offer. The journey does not turn out like any of them expect.
This sounds like a plot for an American sex comedy. In fact, it sounds like a teenage fantasy: going on a road trip with a beautiful woman. It's obvious that both Tenoche and Julio are hoping to score with Luisa. This is, after all, the kind of stunt many boys would pull when hormones have pushed their brains out of the way. On some level, they knew that it would never work. It's all a fantasy to them. But when it becomes reality, it turns out to be very different.
The acting by the three leads is exceptional. Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal have been best friends since childhood, and their relationship in real life has made it to the screen. Tenoche and Julio are normal teenagers. Every guy will see themselves, at that age, in these two, especially in how they act with each other. Maribel Verdu, the great Mexican beauty that she is, is wonderful. She knows the effect that she has on the boys, which lead her to do things that are just as stupid, but she also has self-respect. She's a sexual being, but she's not a fantasy.
Alfonso Cuaron has directed a wide variety of movies. He has one Harry Potter movie (his next movie after this one...no doubt certain pushy parents would be horrified if they knew), a movie based on a book by Charles Dickens, and a movie aimed at young girls to his credit. Cuaron has a great attention to setting; this film is set against political and social change in Mexico. This adds a lot of flavor to the story.
Unfortunately, the film is on shaky ground at the end. The conflict is tied up too quickly, and what Tenoche and Julio learned from their experience is unclear. This is a movie that encourages discussion afterward.
Then there's the narration. The movie constantly pauses and gives information about the characters. Some of it is helpful, but a lot of it is redundant. There's way too much of it and it interrupts the movie's flow.
Despite, or maybe because of, the sexual content in this film, I think this is a great movie for high schoolers. They'll be able to relate to the characters, and it will encourage thought and discussion. Compare that to crap like "Pacific Rim," which requires a lobotomy and a vomit bag.
Starring: Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Maribel Verdu
The version being reviewed is unrated. The Edited Version is rated R for Strong Sexual Content involving Teens, Drug Use and Language
The sad thing about American culture is that our attitudes towards sex are so backward. Teenagers aren't able to get an honest understanding of the ins and outs of sex and its complications. It's become a dirty joke or something to be feared.
True, the characters in this film do joke about sex (as teenagers do), but the film is uncensored in a way that is refreshing. There is a lot of sex in this film (some of which is very hot), but director Alfonso Cuaron doesn't tiptoe around it. He presents it in a matter of fact and realistic way. In American movies, even R-rated ones like "Basic Instinct" or "American Pie," sex is treated in such a coy way that robs it of all its mystery and excitement. Quick cuts, blankets and unrealistic "choreography" to the point of absurdity make the scenes feel immature and artificial.
Does that mean that "Y tu Mama Tambien" is pornographic? Not at all. Cuaron uses sex to tell a story. He does not mean to titillate (although, considering how convincing it is, that may happen to some viewers) or to shock. Rather, he uses it to illustrate the challenges that occur when sexual fantasy becomes reality.
Tenoche (Luna) and Julio (Bernal) have been best friends for years. While they are in different classes (Tenoche is extremely wealthy, while Julio is middle class), they are comfortable enough with each other to masturbate on diving boards and chase one another around the shower room naked (it makes you realize how our treatment of sex is so bizarre that attempts to think about it logically will turn your mind into a pretzel from hell). At a wedding, they meet the gorgeous wife of one of Tenoche's cousins. Her name is Luisa (Verdu). They invite her to come with them to Heaven's Mouth beach (which doesn't exist), but she shoots them down (she tells them that her husband would think it a wonderful idea). But when Luisa gets a call from her husband who drunkenly confesses to cheating on her, she takes them up on their offer. The journey does not turn out like any of them expect.
This sounds like a plot for an American sex comedy. In fact, it sounds like a teenage fantasy: going on a road trip with a beautiful woman. It's obvious that both Tenoche and Julio are hoping to score with Luisa. This is, after all, the kind of stunt many boys would pull when hormones have pushed their brains out of the way. On some level, they knew that it would never work. It's all a fantasy to them. But when it becomes reality, it turns out to be very different.
The acting by the three leads is exceptional. Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal have been best friends since childhood, and their relationship in real life has made it to the screen. Tenoche and Julio are normal teenagers. Every guy will see themselves, at that age, in these two, especially in how they act with each other. Maribel Verdu, the great Mexican beauty that she is, is wonderful. She knows the effect that she has on the boys, which lead her to do things that are just as stupid, but she also has self-respect. She's a sexual being, but she's not a fantasy.
Alfonso Cuaron has directed a wide variety of movies. He has one Harry Potter movie (his next movie after this one...no doubt certain pushy parents would be horrified if they knew), a movie based on a book by Charles Dickens, and a movie aimed at young girls to his credit. Cuaron has a great attention to setting; this film is set against political and social change in Mexico. This adds a lot of flavor to the story.
Unfortunately, the film is on shaky ground at the end. The conflict is tied up too quickly, and what Tenoche and Julio learned from their experience is unclear. This is a movie that encourages discussion afterward.
Then there's the narration. The movie constantly pauses and gives information about the characters. Some of it is helpful, but a lot of it is redundant. There's way too much of it and it interrupts the movie's flow.
Despite, or maybe because of, the sexual content in this film, I think this is a great movie for high schoolers. They'll be able to relate to the characters, and it will encourage thought and discussion. Compare that to crap like "Pacific Rim," which requires a lobotomy and a vomit bag.
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