Review By Steve Ramos

Luisa (Maribel Verdu) is the center of attention in Alfonso Cuarón's fast-moving road movie, Y Tu Mamá También.

Mexican-born director Alfonso Cuarón makes a heady impact on American cinema with his fast-moving road movie Y Tu Mamá También. The film literally explodes with energy, making most of the films I've watched recently look dull by comparison. For Cuarón, Y Tu Mamá También catapults him to the status of world-class filmmaker. My guess is that most movie audiences have never heard of Cuarón before. All of that will change after watching Cuarón's tale of life, temporary love affairs and childhood friendships. I've seen Y Tu Mamá También twice, first at last year's Toronto Film Festival, then, for a second time at this year's Sundance. I can honestly say that the film resonates with me as if I just watched it yesterday.

Y Tu Mamá También is as beautiful as anything seen in Cuarón's childhood fantasy, The Little Princess, as well as his previous film, the overly extravagant Great Expectations. Cuarón (collaborating with his brother Carlos Cuarón on the screenplay) has created a coming-of-age story that's audacious, youthful and daringly sexy.

Y Tu Mamá También follows the roadside adventures of two 17-year-old friends, Tenoch (Diago Luna) and Julio (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Tenoch's pretty Spanish cousin, Luisa (Maribel Verdu), as they leave Mexico City in search for the perfect beach on the Oaxacan coast.

The film's carefree drug use and sexual promiscuity is attracting most of the attention, but its straightforward storyteling, likable lead actors, natural dialogue and slick photography are its true assets.

Luna and Bernal are heartfelt and natural as the teen-age friends who find themselves starry-eyed over the beautiful Luisa. But it's Verdu's passionate performance that ultimately sends Y Tu Mamá También spinning. Verdu's dark features and womanly curves make her a worthy object of affection. Still, Verdu's beautiful looks only tell half her story. Balancing moments of physical comedy and dark sorrow, Verdu captures Luisa's deeper reasons for accompanying Tenoch and Julio on their beach-bound adventure. There's a deeper story behind her warm smile and tanned shoulders.

In the 10 years that Cuarón has been making films -- the Mexican feature Love in the Time of Hysteria, the cable movie Murder Obliquely, the children's tale A Little Princess and the Dickens adaptation, Great Expectations -- nothing prepares you for the rocketing energy of Y Tu Mamá También. While A Little Princess perfectly captures a child's longing for family, Y Tu Mamá También grabs hold of a teen-ager's libidinous energy and sense for adventure.

Like Spanish director Julio Medem's adult fantasy Sex and Lucia, Y Tu Mamá También supports the argument that Latino filmmakers are the one film movement responsible for bringing adult stories into US cinemas. Nothing in the American indie scene can match Y Tu Mamá También's sweaty atmosphere and sexy charisma. At the same time, its stunning Mexican landscapes and unbridled energy always serve its tale of personal exploration and self-awareness. Y Tu Mamá También is made by a filmmaker who knows how to have fun, but it's also the work of someone who places priority on telling a good story. As engaging as it is erotic, Y Tu Mamá También quickly became the highest grossing film in Mexican history. One viewing and it's easy to understand why.
CityBeat Grade: A

E-mail Steve Ramos

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