This is a part of an ongoing project in which I watch one movie from a different country every week.
PLOT: Two oversexed teenage boys and an attractive older woman set out on a road trip to a beach that doesn’t exist. During their travels each of them experiences an unexpected awakening.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: This movie is known for its graphic sex scenes. However, there is considerably more to this film. The characters who inhabit Y Tu Mamá También’s world, especially Luisa (Maribel Verdú), all have very deep, incredibly complex personalities. The scene that stuck with me the most is relatively PG, but is also absolutely devastating.
Luisa, the gorgeous “older woman” (whose character is probably younger than I am, yikes), talks on the phone with her unfaithful husband. The film has previously implied that she is facing disastrous health issues. As her relationship and life fall apart, she breaks down into sobs. In the phone booth’s glass we see the reflection of the two boys (Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal) bounding around, playing fooseball and acting like teenage assholes. This moment sums up her world vs. their world. Her life is in shambles while they are so caught up in their prime they don’t notice her distress.
- When the producers tried to buy the rights to Frank Zappa‘s “Watermelon in Easter Hay” they were told that Zappa had requested that this song would never be played in any media outside the original album. However, Frank’s widow saw the movie when editing was almost complete. She agreed to make an exception because she believed Zappa would be proud of the film.
- Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki said he used “90% natural light”. Only a few scenes include additional lighting.
- On his bedroom wall, one of the two boys has a poster from the movie Harold and Maude (1971), another film about a young man who has a sexual relationship with an older woman.
WHO IS THIS MOVIE FOR?: As I mentioned above, this movie has some very graphic sex scenes. While I would encourage viewers to not be turned away by this, I have to be realistic. Y Tu Mamá También isn’t for everyone.
However, I think even more viewers will turned away because the two boys act like total dicks. I certainly don’t expect (or want) characters who act like cherubs but there where some scenes when I wanted to smack these two guys over the head with an oatmeal spoon. Not enough to hurt them, just enough to put them in a mild coma.
That being said, there are tremendous character arches and these two guys do develop as the movie progresses. If you are looking for a coming of age road trip movie this one will probably be right up your alley.
I also want to add that for some reason, I have always associated this film with Nico and Dani. The two movies are thematically very similar. If you like one you’ll probably enjoy the other.
Also, lets not forget that this is an Alfonso Cuarón movie. If you’re a fan, this film should already be on your list, especially if you want to see where he developed the documentary, long-take style he perfected in Children of Men.
That being said, don’t pick up this movie simply because you enjoyed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I won’t say there are zero similarities (both movies are about young men growing up), but Y Tu Mamá También is magical in a very different way.
(I’ve noticed that I’ve made Harry Potter references three movie posts in a row now.)
WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?: Netflix Instant. It is also available to rent ($3.99) or buy ($12.99) on Amazon. I’m sure you could also borrow it from many public or university library systems.
RUNTIME: 106 Minutes (exact same as Devil’s Backbone, from a few weeks back)
DIRECTOR: Alfonso Cuarón
WRITER:
Carlos Cuarón
Alfonso Cuarón
