Y tu mamá también (2001)

Director:

Alfonso Cuarón

Writers:

Alfonso Cuarón (screenplay)
Carlos Cuarón (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 June 2001 (Mexico)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

La vida tiene sus maneras de enseñarnos. La vida tiene sus maneras de confundirnos. La vida tiene sus maneras de cambiarnos. La vida tiene sus maneras de asombrarnos. La vida tiene sus maneras de herirnos. La vida tiene sus maneras de curarnos. La vida tiene sus maneras de inspirarnos.

Plot:

In Mexico, two teenage boys and an attractive older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other.

Plot Keywords:

Road Trip | Mexico | Sex | Friendship | Beach

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 33 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

Ana López Mercado	...	Ana Morelos
Diego Luna	...	Tenoch Iturbide
Gael García Bernal	...	Julio Zapata
Nathan Grinberg	...	Manuel Huerta
Verónica Langer	...	María Eugenia Calles de Huerta
María Aura	...	Cecilia Huerta
Giselle Audirac	...	Nicole Bazaine
Arturo Ríos	...	Esteban Morelos
Andrés Almeida	...	Diego 'Saba' Madero
Diana Bracho	...	Silvia Allende de Iturbide
Emilio Echevarría	...	Miguel Iturbide
Marta Aura	...	Enriqueta 'Queta' Allende
Maribel Verdú	...	Luisa Cortés
Juan Carlos Remolina	...	Alejandro 'Jano' Montes de Oca
Liboria Rodríguez	...	Leodegaria 'Leo' Victoria

Also Known As:

And Your Mother Too (USA) (informal literal title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content involving teens, drug use and language.

Runtime:

105 min | South Korea:102 min

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Philippines:R-18 (re-rating) | Philippines:X (original rating) | Brazil:14 (DVD rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Brazil:18 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Chile:14 | Colombia:18 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Hungary:16 | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM18 | Japan:R-15 | Mexico:C (cut) | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Poland:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) (cut) | South Korea:18 (cut) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:R (cut) | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico

Company:

Anhelo Producciones

Trivia:

The phrase "Y tu mama tambien", by itself, is not offensive, but if you put an offense before it or you answer to an offense with it, it is one of the most offensive phrases in Mexican Spanish. By itself, it means "And your mother too."

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Louisa wakes up in the car at the beach, in the shot inside the car, her jeans are torn at the left knee. Subsequent shots show an un-torn pair of jeans.

Quotes:

Luisa: Life is like the surf, so give yourself away like the sea.

Movie Connections:

References Les quatre cents coups (1959)

Soundtrack:

La Tumba Será el Final

Three for the road...

This is a very different Mexican film. One in which you can really appreciate the sure hand of director Alfonso Cuaron working at the top of his form with an excellent group of actors, which proves that when someone of this magnitude decides to make a good film about interesting characters in contemporary Mexico, one can expect a fine finished product.

Alfonso and Carlos Cuaron have created people and situations that are very believable. The script is fine. "Y tu mama tambien" is about awakening and about reaching maturity. It's a great Mexican Road movie done with a lot of care.

The Cuarons shows us a slice of life that could happen, not only in that country, but one that is universal. Producers and directors in Mexico should see this film and learn how to do future movies, even though the popular taste runs into the horrible soap operas, popular in Mexican TV. The Cuarons have turned out a magnificent script and have turned away from those popular melodramas that are a staple of the film industry of our neighbor to the South.

Gael Garcia Bernal, who was excellent in Amores Perros, here demonstrates once again what an actor can do, given the right scenario and obviously a lot of freedom to give life to Julio. Diego Luna is also very credible in his portrayal of the son of a rich man on the road to discover himself. Obviously, the underlying theme is that both like each other, but it never comes out, as they both are so closeted and think themselves of being straight in such a macho atmosphere.

Maribel Verdu plays the pivotal role of Luisa. She sees right through the boys, but has to play the part since they are the salvation from her miserable marriage. Here as in other Spanish films, she lets us know she is an actress who likes to take chances. This was the right vehicle for her and she takes advantage of a role that makes her outshine the rest of the cast.

One can only hope more interesting things coming from this director and Mexico's gain is our loss, as it's obvious Mr. Cuaron's incursion into American films have not been as satisfactory as his work here.