Review of Y Tu Mamá También (2001) by Larry J — 16 Jun 2010

Synopsis: "Y Tu Mama Tambien" is a road movie focusing on the coming of age of two best friends. The phrase, "Y Tu Mama Tambien" is a highly derogatory phrase meaning, "And your mother too" somewhat like "So's your mother". The film is not only highly sexual, but also intelligently written and directed. There is also a subtle political edge to the plot. The cinematography is magnificent. "Y Tu Mama Tambien" receives the strongest of all recommendations.

Review:

Any film that begins by showing five minutes of the beautiful naked bodies of Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal fucking their girlfriends -- has my immediate and undivided attention. I'm sure it will capture yours. Luna and Bernal have been close personal friends for a long time, which accounts for the strong chemistry one can feel between them in the film. "Y Tu Mama Tambien" is unsurpassed as a film about the shared experiences during a pivotal summer between two childhood friends. Their unusually strong friendship will be altered forever. The affection they have for each other is established early while discussing politics between bouts of farting. They are both from affluent families, but Tenoch (Diego Luna) is the son of the Country's Secretary of State, so his family is wealthy. Julio (Gael García Bernal) is the son of a single mother who is a executive secretary for a large corporation. He has a politically active sister attending the local university. Their socio-economic status is lower than Tenoch's.

Tenoch Hurbride is the second of three children. Both Tenoch and Julio have attractive girlfriends. The girls are leaving them to spend the summer in Italy. As the boys drive to the airport to wish them a pleasant bon voyage, they encounter sluggish traffic. A narrator enters the picture and provides little tid-bits of information which may or may not be relevant to plot advancement. Pay particular attention to the early remarks for they level out any possible cultural practice we might miss. (We learn the traffic is slow because a bus hit and killed an old man on a bicycle -- not because of THREE anti-establishment demonstrations being held.).

The guys are clueless about how weak the girls regard the relationships. Their quick departure is a relief which allows us to focus on the guys. Free from the restraints of being tied down because of a relationship, we see our boys in a variety of fun loving, pot smoking, and "E" (Ecstasy) taking situations. This portrayal of youth is unsurpassed in contemporary film as much as any I have ever seen. They are happy young men without a trace of teenage angst so common in American teen flicks. You will love the nude, dick flopping, towel snapping scene in a country club shower.

If that is too much of a tease, just wait until you see the boys masturbating on swimming pool diving boards! The performances by Luna and Bernal are so excellent I defy anyone to find one false note.

A new dynamic is set up when the boys invite a cousin's girlfriend, Luisa (Maribel Verdu) to a special beach retreat. I do believe the saying, "You never really know someone until you travel with them." This film brilliantly illustrates the point. Luisa, being older, can prick-tease the boys without mercy. As their raging hormones govern Julio and Tenoch more and more, the intensity of their friendship forces the revealing of personality factors, and secrets, deeply hidden and unexpressed, they never dared to explore. Luisa is the catalyst for self-discovery. Her presence brings out the best -- and the worst -- in the two friends. At times, she's a sexy seductress, at other times a maternal figure each of the guys seriously need. Luisa, too, finds out what is important to her. As the road leading to Boca del Cielo (Heaven's Mouth) becomes more desolate and inhospitable, the threesome find there is no escape from confrontation with their most dramatic flaws and desires.

I am not alone in my high praise for "Y Tu Mama Tambien". It was nominated for an Academy Award in the "Best Writing, Original Screenplay" category -- competing with such heavyweights as: "Gangs of New York", "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", and "Far From Heaven". They all lost to Pedro Almodovar's "Hable con ella" (aka "Talk to her").

"Y Tu Mama Tambien" was nominated for two BAFTAs, a Golden Globe, a Grammy, the GLAAD Media Award, and the Screen International Award. It WON at The Venice Film Festival, The Chicago Film Critics Association, Boston Society of Film Critics, Broadcast Film Critics, The Glitter Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, London Critics Circle, National Society of Film Critics (USA), The New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco Film Critics, as well as several MTV Movie Awards including winning the "Best Kiss" for Diego Luna!

I'm sure if you give this film a chance it will stand out as an exceptionally good film.