Smashing all records at the box office in Mexico, "Y Tu Mamá También" (And Your Mother Too) is Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón's triumphant return to his roots after ten years in Hollywood. Witty, vibrant, and intelligent, it's not hard to see why audiences have loved the film.
Combining elements of a road movie, love triangle, and coming of age tale, the film follows Tenoch (Luna) and Julio (GarcÃa Bernal), two teenage best friends from Mexico City whose girlfriends have just gone travelling. Left at the peril of their hormones, the boys lure beautiful Luisa (Verdú), the discontented wife of Tenoch's cousin, away on a trip to an imaginary beach. In the process they discover things about themselves and each other that they least expected.
Even from the connotations of its title, "Y Tu Mamá También" is certainly not coy about the more explicit things in life. The unflinching opening sex scene and other tumbles throughout the film would court controversy were it not for the fact they are totally organic to the film as a whole.
Diego Luna and Gael GarcÃa Bernal (previously seen in "Amores Perros") turn out impressive performances which are not only witty and intelligent but also disarmingly naturalistic.
With a voiceover that enriches the story with socio-political observations, Cuarón has fashioned a movie that is specific in its personal and national character, but which negotiates issues relevant to everyone. Entertaining and enlightening.