bnorthup
06-03-2002, 11:33 PM
Y Tu Mamá También (Rated NC-17...very graphic)
Rough translation: "And your mama, too"
At the Myrna Loy until Thursday, June 6.
Four Stars
Ways of the flesh
By Brent Northup
The Mexican film "Y Tu Mamá También" ranks as one of the finest explorations of teen-age sexuality I've ever seen. It's become one of the most popular movies in Mexican film history, and it's not hard to sense why - it's got both sex and substance.
Most movies on the subject of adolescent sex are intentionally shallow - and they seldom have the guts to be totally honest about how hormones change the teen years. "Summer of '42" may be one of the rare successful films of this coming-of-age genre.
"Y Tu Mamá También" sets a new standard for such films.
The story is told as a road movie, with two boys - one rich, one not - inviting an unhappy married woman to travel to the beach for a little surfin' and stuff.
OK, we've seen this one before - maybe 63 times.
But what's different this time is that the script is embarrassingly authentic. The boys are confused about sex, and they talk a better game than they deliver. The woman is savvier, and quickly realizes that this is not a menage a trois, but rather a tutorial with a teacher and two bad students.
OK, we've seen this one, too - maybe a dozen times.
But it gets better - and deeper. Before long the sex leads to a fight between these two teen best friends. Next, they share secrets of betrayal and mistrust. Soon there is bitterness, even hate, between lifelong friends.
Our heroine steps in to bring order through chastity - a vow kept until the puzzling, evocative final moments of the film.
"Y Tu Mamá También" operates on so many levels, that it's fascinating to contemplate.
On the lowest level, it delivers more frontal nudity and more graphic sex than "American Pie" ever dreamt of providing, a la mode or just microwaved. The opening five minutes is raw sex, mostly unedited. At that point, the film's intent seems exploitive - I suspect there have been a few immediate exits during the first few seconds.
But on a higher level, it's an exploration of teen-age fears and insecurities. These young men really do change forever because of this encounter. And the transformation is believable.
And on still another level, it even dares to explore the possibility that there are gay currents running through even the straightest of streams.
At the end, moviegoers are apt to leave the theater feeling as if they've been conned: they went to a movie expecting a bit of titillation and came away affected on a much deeper level. Days later, it's not the sex we remember, but the touching relationships that are so subtly and honestly explored.
The film leaves town in a matter of days. So far, it's been attended by only a few.
It's worth a look. And, after viewing it, log on to www.metacritic.com and read a few of the fascinating reviews that have been written about this movie.
This is one immodest film that deserves an immodest ovation.
And don't forget, friends: This is an X-rated film, so don't say you weren't warned.
END
Rough translation: "And your mama, too"
At the Myrna Loy until Thursday, June 6.
Four Stars
Ways of the flesh
By Brent Northup
The Mexican film "Y Tu Mamá También" ranks as one of the finest explorations of teen-age sexuality I've ever seen. It's become one of the most popular movies in Mexican film history, and it's not hard to sense why - it's got both sex and substance.
Most movies on the subject of adolescent sex are intentionally shallow - and they seldom have the guts to be totally honest about how hormones change the teen years. "Summer of '42" may be one of the rare successful films of this coming-of-age genre.
"Y Tu Mamá También" sets a new standard for such films.
The story is told as a road movie, with two boys - one rich, one not - inviting an unhappy married woman to travel to the beach for a little surfin' and stuff.
OK, we've seen this one before - maybe 63 times.
But what's different this time is that the script is embarrassingly authentic. The boys are confused about sex, and they talk a better game than they deliver. The woman is savvier, and quickly realizes that this is not a menage a trois, but rather a tutorial with a teacher and two bad students.
OK, we've seen this one, too - maybe a dozen times.
But it gets better - and deeper. Before long the sex leads to a fight between these two teen best friends. Next, they share secrets of betrayal and mistrust. Soon there is bitterness, even hate, between lifelong friends.
Our heroine steps in to bring order through chastity - a vow kept until the puzzling, evocative final moments of the film.
"Y Tu Mamá También" operates on so many levels, that it's fascinating to contemplate.
On the lowest level, it delivers more frontal nudity and more graphic sex than "American Pie" ever dreamt of providing, a la mode or just microwaved. The opening five minutes is raw sex, mostly unedited. At that point, the film's intent seems exploitive - I suspect there have been a few immediate exits during the first few seconds.
But on a higher level, it's an exploration of teen-age fears and insecurities. These young men really do change forever because of this encounter. And the transformation is believable.
And on still another level, it even dares to explore the possibility that there are gay currents running through even the straightest of streams.
At the end, moviegoers are apt to leave the theater feeling as if they've been conned: they went to a movie expecting a bit of titillation and came away affected on a much deeper level. Days later, it's not the sex we remember, but the touching relationships that are so subtly and honestly explored.
The film leaves town in a matter of days. So far, it's been attended by only a few.
It's worth a look. And, after viewing it, log on to www.metacritic.com and read a few of the fascinating reviews that have been written about this movie.
This is one immodest film that deserves an immodest ovation.
And don't forget, friends: This is an X-rated film, so don't say you weren't warned.
END