Let me first say that I really enjoyed this movie. I know some of you really don't like the subtitles, but they really don't bother me. My only concern with foreign language films is whether or not, we as viewers, are losing context or meaning during translation.  At times during Y tu mama tambien I caught myself thinking that the dialogue between Tenoch, Julio, and Luisa to be over the top in its vulgarity. I'm not so sure if that was purposeful or just a project of loose translation. I'm leaning towards purposeful, as I don't see Alfonso Cuarón allowing such a clumsy translation to the English speaking audience.

Much of the build-up, trailers, or blurbs for the movie really focused on the film being a summer coming of age story for two teenage boys. That sort of theme absolutely screams awkward interactions that only teenage boys can bring. The penis jokes, awkward shower banter, and even a duel poolside jerking off race that included climax conversation didn't catch me of guard, because after all, these are teenage boys and teenage boys do, say, and talk about whatever their penis tells them to talk about. Other than the Zapata family business, Tenoch and Julio didn't strike me as remarkable in any way.

The thing that really caught me by surprise, and really I feel it's the film's most important theme, is how fucking rapey this shit is. Look, I know what you are going to say: "But the boys are of age, how can that be rape?" Look, I don't fucking know how old Tenoch and Julio are, but I know they act like a couple of god damn 14 year olds still trying figure out how and where it's appropriate to stick their dicks. They usually figure out the most inappropriate place and head there first. (See examples of each other's girlfriends, diving board jerk race, married twenty something family member, etc.)

My point is, these two idiots are barely in control of themselves and dear old scorned (by both her body and her husband) Luisa decides to take advantage of the situation. She slowly introduces sexual dialogue throughout the road trip, eventually building up to the point that discussing sexual partners and styles is casually exchanged between the three. From the perspective of an experienced adult, it's pretty clear the boys, despite their bravodocious demeanors, haven't the slightest clue of how to engage her on this level.

Of course this proves true as Luisa allows both boys to attempt their best Bald Bull Charge on her vag. Each boy was left apologizing and with Luisa more firmly in control than before.

Of course that control plays out to the devils threesome where the boys encourage each other's company more than ever. It's a scene that is shocking not for its content, but instead for how far Luisa has expanded her control over the best friends. I guess you could say there is a certain amount of foreshadowing throughout the film that might lead done to believe that this sexual encounter between Yenoch and Julio was inevitable. But I think the scenes people could bring up are merely just great examples of teenage boys being teenage boys. If I have a problem with the film it's that it didn't explore the boys emotions about anything that happened following the roadtrip. The narrator simply said the boys found new girlfriends and drifted apart. What the fuck? You build up this movie to a gayish (maybe gay, maybe rapey coercion) threesome and then you just dismiss it? I wanted more dialogue there.

Like I said, I really enjoyed the movie. Both Tenoch and Julio are well played and Cuarón shows he has a gift for getting in the mind of tortured male youth. (Prisoner of Azkaban anyone?) I'm worried that the rapiness is to subtle for audiences to recognize, but I don't think it detracts from how will the movie was made. I would not recommend this movie for everyone, as the awkwardness might be too much for some to handle. That said, I like it at a B+.