Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002) 8/10
YTMMT is both a road trip tale, a coming of age tale and a sly social commentary of Mexican society. That it manages to blend so many genres into one coherent and cohesive film is remarkable, and Alfonso Cuaron has set himself out as one of the major talents from latin america. Cuaron interposes moments of voice-over narration at certain points of the film, a technique that would have been tacky in the hands of a lesser director, but Cuaron injects subtle commentary on the mexican society through this narrative device. The film is at once tragic and funny, sensual and sobering, with an excellent performance by the 3 leads. Gael Garcia Bernal needs no introduction here. He has consistently impressed in films like Babel, Amores Perros and will continue to do so. Easily one of the strongest actors of our time, i can see him eventually getting an Oscar. But the true revelation here is Maribel Verdú, who is the driving force of the film. Her performance is brave, powerful, and, when the final denouement comes, powerfully emotional. Critics have proclaimed YTMMT as one of the best films of 2002. I’m inclined to agree.
“It is true, as some critics have observed, that “Y Tu Mama” is one of those movies where “after that summer, nothing would ever be the same again.” Yes, but it redefines “nothing.”- Ebert
“There is an intimacy to the triangle at the heart of the picture that suggests a manifestation of the recollected ménage a trios from Bergman’s Persona, and Verdú’s difficult performance carries a weight of pathos that is unexpected and ultimately honored by Cuarón’s script”- Walter Chew
