Review of Y Tu Mamá También (2001) by Spencer S — 26 Dec 2014

Pairing together hedonistic teenagers with the problems and poverty in Mexico, "Y Tu Mama Tambien" tells a story of vices. Most of the film features sex, drug use, and perversion in general. It centers on three people (Verdu, Bernal, and Luna) going on a road trip across Mexico while flirting with one another, engaging in intercourse, and viewing the world in their own selfish terms.

A voiceover weaves throughout the film to give perspective to the setting of the film, which often includes poverty, crime, and gore. Most have argued that this parallel is stark, that showing the real world implications of the cultural landscape shows that our protagonists are that much more selfish, hateful, and spoiled.

That message often gets lost in the sexual contrivances of the three lead characters. The ending pulls back from the fieriness of the action and gives needed perspective, which is what ultimately makes this film meaningful.

The ending shows the buffoonery of the men, how free Luisa (Verdu) wants to feel but can't, and that the entire film is building to something wonderfully introspective. This film doesn't always show how Mexican poverty is generally denied by the upper class, but it does show the contrast between what matters in life and how we often ignore what's right in front of us.