Y Tu Mama Tambien
Michael Kennedy

This film was by far the most entertaining we have screened. Very open in their discussions
about sex weren’t they? I don’t think you will find that “hot” (no pun intended-ok maybe a
little) climate type culture discussions among our young generation. These two youngsters
did not know what to do with themselves without their women around. These were two
spoiled young men who were brought up in rich families that we never really get to meet in
was an interesting aspect of the film. At times there would be information given to us about a
particular person or possibly an event that had nothing to do with the scene that we were
watching. I think this was the directors way for the audience to become more in tune with the
misc en scene. We learn different little aspects of the characters at different times throughout
the film. In this way we can get a mental picture of who this person really is underneath. We
learn that the three main characters all had their difficulties growing up. Tenoch was more or
less raised by a servant and he even calls her “mama” until the age of four. Where were his
parents? Even though we are two different cultures I think you find that the American and
Spanish rich kids are raised more or less in the same way. Parents are rarely around or are
Involved. Why is that? Why the nanny’s, chauffeurs, maids and servants? But I think you find
this in any culture wherever you go. It’s all a big game of who has more – bottom line is who
really cares. Funny how it doesn’t matter what culture each family more or less treat their kids
the same way. Julio and Tenoch were unaware of how to love someone. Cheating on each
other with each other’s girlfriends because they didn’t really respect the women or themselves
really. I believe they were searching for love but didn’t actually know “how” to love. Luisa
briefly became a void between Julio and Tenoch. There was jealousy, anger and mistrust. Luisa
made her own manifesto and the two teenagers had to oblige her if they were to get laid again.
Soon after they make-up, and well, make-out too. So I guess there are no more hard feelings
huh? I did not see that one coming. I guess the two were exploring their inhibitions a little
further than we expected. You have to wonder is all this sexual energy a normal thing among
the Hispanic hot climate culture for teenagers? Probably not but for teens who have no
parental supervision I would not doubt that sex is high on the list of extracurricular activities.
The narrator gives the audience an idea of what is was like living in Spain at the time. The
boys get a sense of what a family really is when they meet Esteban and his family. He graciously
takes then on a tour of the beaches and as it turns out there really “is” a Heaven’s Mouth
beach. Julio and Tenoch exchange a “you have to be kidding me” look at each other. Maybe this
was fate? If this really exists what else can we expect huh? We soon learn about Esteban and
his fate through the narrator. A big company moves in to build a large hotel where Esteban
fishes. He and his family are forced to move to a different location to fish and is squeezed out
by other larger fishing companies and he has to take a job he hates as a janitor back at the
hotel.
We learn that Luisa decides to stay behind with Esteban’s family – in paradise because she has
only a short time to live. She is happy with Esteban’s family, something she was unable to have
for herself so she was happy here. The boys go their own ways to attend school and eventually
meet up again to talk about their experience and talk about Luisa’s death. They say goodbye
and go their own way.