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Y Tu Mama Tambien 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
NR, 105 min. (strong graphic sex, nudity, language, drug use) |
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Starring: Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna
Producers: Alfonso Cuarón, Jorge Vergara
Screenplay: Alfonso Cuarón, Carlos Cuarón
Distributor: IFC Films
Released: 3/15/02 (Limited)
(In Spanish with English subtitles) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Y Tu Mamá También, or "And Your Mother Too," has been praised by many critics as one of the best
coming-of-age teen films in quite some time. Complete with graphic, soft-porn sex and coarse, vulgar dialogue, the film
comes across as unapologetic both in terms of pushing acceptable artistic range and its stark frankness. Director Alfonso
Cuarón has crafted a mesmerizing film to be sure, but whether audiences will accept its graphic content will determine its fate.
Underneath the visually-stimulating sex scenes, there's a story about maturing and dealing with feelings of acceptance, jealousy,
and friendship. But road trips have been covered several times
over by Hollywood standards, so there's really nothing new to see except a few fine performances from its eager cast.
How American audiences will react to one of Mexico's biggest hits in years is unknown; considering it was released unrated
because of valid fears of an "NC-17" rating, parents should be forewarned that this is not a film for teenagers who are not
prepared for the material.
Seventeen-year old best friends, Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna), begin another summer in Mexico
by having sex with their girlfriends, who are about to leave on a European vacation. Once left alone in their bored existence,
they meet the beautiful Luisa (Maribel Verdú), the wife Tenoch's cousin, at a wedding. After learning of her husband's
infidelities, Luisa decides to accept Julio and Tenoch's impetuous offer to accompany them on a road trip to a secluded
beach. Together, they form a bond that explores sexuality, drugs, and honesty about their lives. While the boys dreamt
of being with Luisa, they receive much more than they bargained for when she comes along. They must confront hidden
truths and burgeoning adulthood that beckons.
It's difficult to evaluate Y Tu Mamá También without addressing the sexual nature of the film. Very
few American films could even begin to approach what this film has done in regards to all forms of sexuality. Cuarón
seemed to be making a statement aimed at Hollywood's perceived taboo - that of graphic teenage sexuality. Whether this
impatience fueled his desire to impart the technical aspects of sex is not conspicuous, however, he asks quite a bit from his
young and fearless cast. Here, Bernal and Luna spend almost as much time naked as they do with clothes on, and do so
with a vigor and ease that's simply uncanny. Their exhibitionism is founded in a terse screenplay that's as honest as it
is unnecessary. This film could have been just as effective with a few modestly-portrayed sex scenes matched with a better
storyline. As it is, Y Tu Mamá También's worthiness deteriorates as its sex scenes mount. Had
it been half as vigorous and thorough in its plot as its depiction of sex, the film would have been a rousing success. Here it's
only mediocre.
Although some would argue that the film makes a legitimate statement about teenage sex, specifically teenage boys'
fantasies and struggle for self-worth, it's no more poignant that other American films dealing with some of these
same issues (Road Trip, American Pie). This film is also a comedy at heart, albeit razor sharp in its ability to cut through
shallow rhetoric and address underlying feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Julio and Tenoch are searching for answers in
their own way (through a self-made "manifesto" they recite during their journey), but what they find will change their
relationship forever. Luisa is a conduit for their guarded egos, eventually leading to a form of self-discovery that
results in a type of shame that affects them years afterwards.
Y Tu Mamá También is far from a masterpiece, but it will be remembered for its excellent
performances by its trio of fine actors - Bernal, Luna, Verdú. The three are so relaxed in front of the camera, it's as if
one is seeing a true-to-life look into their lives during a trip to the beach. Bernal draws upon his experience in last year's
brilliant Amores Perros to help him here - he's able to form a convincing Julio that is the crux for Luna and Verdú
to play off. And Verdú gives a rousing performance as the disgruntled housewife that needs an explosion of adventure to
heal a dark secret that changes everything.
At best, Y Tu Mamá También is an effective and intelligent visitation of teenage escapism with a
flair for intriguing scenes of the Mexican countryside and comparisons between the elite and impoverished. On the other
hand, the film could be accused of sensationalism and an unnecessary voyeurism to draw a crowd to the theater. My guess
is that Y Tu Mamá También will be a polarizing film for those who see it - some will appreciate
its honesty and artistic expression, but others will be offended by its exposition of teenage sexuality.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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