Often the most confusing time in a person’s life are their teenage years. The struggle with identity, their future and acceptance (both from outsiders and themselves). The journey toward becoming an adult is typically one of the most trying stages in the journey through life. Y Tu Mamá También follows the journey of Mexican teenagers Tenoch Iturbide (Diego Luna) and Julio Zapata (Gael Garcia Bernal) as they navigate that rocky terrain of their teenage years, and as they attempt to determine their worth and their place in the world. During a family wedding, the two young boys meet Louisa Cortés (Maribel Verdú)--a woman ten years their senior, and the three embark on a roadtrip to a fictional beach called “Heaven’s Mouth.” On their trip, the three will partake in many urges and find themselves learning more about themselves than they ever thought possible.
First of all, the casting for Y Tu Mamá También was impeccable. Both Bernal and Luna were in their twenties at the time, yet casting director Manuel Tier determined that their youthful looks and energy allowed them to depict teenagers on the brink of adulthood. Furthermore, their chemistry, as often mentioned by the narrator, Daniel Giménez Cacho, grew stronger as the story progressed. Their relationship appeared genuine and made viewers believe their words and appreciate their emotion. Verdú, who was meant to have this somewhat strained relationship with the teens, while still exuding sexual tension amidst her failing marriage, found ways to incorporate both terribly important ideals into her acting. Her chemistry with the two youths seemed surprisingly natural and, as the film progressed, it seems that her ability to connect with the young actors became stronger.
Y Tu Mamá También’s allure stems from its simplicity. It, in nearly every way, plays out like a bildungsroman and begs audiences to empathize with the struggles of growing up. The accessibility of Carlos Cuarón and Alfonso Cuarón script resonates with viewers and reminds them of the difficulties they faced when they were growing up. The obstacles are not always the same, but the feelings of distrust, sexual tension and unknowing transcend generations of people and bring them together. The sentiment of growing up and its many hurdles that come with it connected audiences of all ages and walks of life, allowing this film the potential for amazing success.
The Cuarón brothers made a decision to use an omniscient narrator to help guide audiences through the story and keep them in the know. This made the story somewhat easier to follow, but it sometimes fractured the dialogue and made it difficult to focus on certain sequences. The narration helped to strengthen the understanding of each character, their past relationship and many of their endeavors. This saved time, avoided seemingly unnecessary scenes and, in turn, money. However, each time Cacho prepared to speak, the audio cut out and silence was deafening as it stole moments of beauty from the talented actors.
All of its simplicity invited audiences in from the very beginning and forced them to face the harsh realities of childhood and becoming an adult. Sex was used as a vehicle for raw passion and emotion, and often depicted the characters in their most vulnerable states. Y Tu Mamá También’s relatability through nearly every decision made by the Cuaróns effectively reached audiences and allowed them to empathize with their plights. The brothers beautifully conducted this heartfelt story and audiences were taken on a charming journey of friendship and self-discovery.
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