this film changed my life
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UniversityOfPhoenix — 19 years ago(March 13, 2007 09:26 PM)
great post. Y Tu Mama Tambien is the only movie i've ever seen that I've considered a work of art.
It somehow really does capture what it means to be alive. If somebody asked me for the meaning of life, my answer would include the song that Luisa plays on the jukebox. -
calliope3 — 19 years ago(March 21, 2007 02:52 AM)
Cool post, grungeisdead999. You don't sound cliche at all. Not enough people are willing to express themselves about art so passionately, for fear of seeming "uncool," perhaps.
I hate to admit it, but the first time I saw this filmabout five years agomy initial response was one of indifference. I and my friend walked out of the theatre commenting, "It was okay, but nothing extraordinary." Shame on us!
Last week, I went to my neighbourhood library and rented "Y Tu Mama Tambien." I wanted to give it a second chance. Unless a movie is absolutely atrocious, I will view it a second time before writing it off completely. Well, let me tell you, after taking it home and watching it for the first time in five years, I've revised my previous opinion. It is such a funny, free-spirited, and vibrant film. And the narrative devicethat omniscient voice that would cut in periodicallywas a great choice for propelling the story forward.
Somehow, I'd disregarded the many allusions to life and death during the first viewing. Duhhh. Makes me wonder where the heck my head was at back in 2002 (up my butt, apparently!). Great direction, acting, soundtrack, editing all of those telling vignettes of the Mexican culture and countryside. Terrific storytelling, pure and simple.
The library got their copy back a couple of days ago, so today I purchased the dvd for my personal collection. There are only a small handful of films I've has this experience withI didn't think much of them at first, then watched them again years later, and had a complete change of opinion. I wouldn't say this film's changed my life, exactly. It has enhanced my worldview, which is always the sign of a really great film. You're right it is an incredible work of art. -
vfrance-1 — 18 years ago(April 23, 2007 08:50 AM)
Very insightful comment about people not wanting to seem "uncool" by discussing art in a heartfelt way.
I saw the film when it first came out in 2002 as well, and while I thought it was great at the time, it wasn't until I watched it again that I realized just how amazing it really is. I honestly think it may be the most realistic film I've ever seen. We've come to see "realism" as "lots of graphic violence," but this film will really snap you out of that stupor. One of the things I found most poignant was the universality of itone one hand, it is specific to Mexico and the Mexican experience, but on the other hand, as an American, I identified with so much of it. How many of us had a stoner friend just like Saba in high school? LOL. And the banter between the two friends is something everyone can relate to; teenagers are unique creatures but very much the same the world over, I believe.
I've seen this film many times now, but to this day I always sit in silence for about 20 minutes after it ends, just trying to figure out what it is I'm feeling.
"I guess I started smoking when I was aboutfour." -
emames — 19 years ago(March 22, 2007 08:36 PM)
Agreed, agreed, agreed. I got y tu mama yesterday from netflix, blew off my homework to watch it and sat speechless and crying after it was finished. i have never been so affected by a movie. i was thinking about it all day today and watched it again immediately after i got home from school. it has instantly become one of my favorite movies, something that's only happened to me a few times. i'm just afraid that i'll never be able to enjoy another movie as much after i fell in love with this one.
"Did you just call me Coltrane?" -
brucedgo — 18 years ago(April 26, 2007 08:31 AM)
Yes, the movie is indeed wonderful. I watched it two times in the first three days after I recorded it from cable. And I could watch it again.
Another movie that I just saw that reveals a revealing glimpse into the meaning of life and freedom is Ikiru. It is also a foreign film, in this case Japanese, directed by Kurosawa. And instead of a view from youth, it is a view from maturity, from one who is dying. In spite of that it's neither sad nor maudlin in any way. In fact I'd say that Y tu mam tambin ends on a sadder note than Ikiru.
It is a more complex and subtle film which might be either more or less enjoyable depending on your tastes and how you feel at the time. And of course it is an older film, from 1952 post-war Japan. -
SevenKal-ElGuiry — 18 years ago(May 11, 2007 04:08 PM)
I agree with the OP, it took me back after i finished watching it, i thought wow, what a cool movie, the camera work, how the woman taught the men what love REALLY was about . everything. i own the doom generation, that move was also very cool, but didnt move me like this movie moved me. truly a rare movie.
I KNOW 2 things that are clear.I'm a great sinner,Christ is a great Savior. -
fschuster — 18 years ago(May 18, 2007 09:16 PM)
Yeah I'll be the first to admit that sometimes with films, most people get really abstract and snobby with their critique of what should be considered artistically outstanding instead of sticking to emotional and psychological stirring aspects in the audience and the movie experience in itself
I happen to think that a lot of directors who ARE considered great auteurs and innovators of cinema do create this very emotional impact, like touching on what it truly means to be human, simply to be alive, and that's why there's such a sometimes even unexplained attraction towards this filmmakers, Cuaron certainly is one, as are his friends Gonzales Inarritu and Guille Del Toro, Kubrick comes to mind as well, especially with Strangelove and 2001, Full Metal Jacket too Linklater is another for me, Fellini, Werner Herzog, Woody Allen, Charlie Kaufman scripts
There's many others, I personally decided to become a filmmaker after watching Baraka a couple of years ago, and movies like that, and this one just absolutely capturre something that we often don't know how to explain critically but it is a huge essential part to making real art that makes a true impact on the audience, and thus, in the world -
Dan03 — 18 years ago(May 21, 2007 02:55 AM)
Agree completely! Maybe saying that th movie "changed my life" is a bit much for me, but I found myself just amazed by what I was looking at. Everything just seems to flow so naturally from the diaglogue and acting to the camera movement and lighting. I also find myself agreeing wth someone else on the board who says that they just sit in silence for 20 minutes after the movie ends trying to figure out what they're feeling. I've had so many friends who I've lent this movie to say something similar, about not knowing exactly how to feel.
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myfriendogri — 18 years ago(June 09, 2007 02:53 AM)
You said that the film changed the way you feel about things.. Has it changed the way that you do things?
The ending, or rather Luisa's ending, for me was "Whaaaaat, oh come on!" .
I've never yet heard of someone with cancer, a month before they die , having the amount of energy she had, road adventure, vigourous sex with two teenagers, and certainly not look look as fit as she did..?
Ambushed by armed bandits, throws herself under the wheels of a 72 ton articulated truck, slips and falls into a vat of boiling oil Yes indeed, but cancer?
So any way. Have your changed feelings transalted into how you do things in life? -
Krustallos — 18 years ago(July 09, 2007 06:19 AM)
I've never yet heard of someone with cancer, a month before they die , having the amount of energy she had
While this is true, it's sort of missing the point really. The full emotional resonance of the story requires that she know she is dying; if you go back and watch the film again the full meaning of various of Luisa's scenes becomes clear. To have her die in an accident, or even suicide, would have wrecked her whole character arc.
In fiction you have to agree with the author to take some things on trust, and implausible illnesses are one of them.
If you're young and you've never seen "Jules et Jim", "Les Valseuses" or "Harold and Maude" this movie could very well be life changing I think. Let's not be so jaded and cynical here.
I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity. -
bluehairedbeing — 18 years ago(June 12, 2007 05:09 PM)
How it can't make the Top 250 astounds me, but pleases me considering some of the garbage that is on there.
And it had that kind of stun-gun effect on me as well. I seriously wasn't expecting it to be what it was. When I brought it, all I really knew was Gael Garcia Bernal/Road trip/Threesome.. ahaha.. I wasn't banking on something which is very moving, inteligent, inspiring and ultimately heartbreaking. Earlier today I was trying to sum this film up, and I can't find the words. It's truly a masterpiece, but not classifiable. As you watch, it feels so irreverent. And then it ends, and you really feel as though you've experienced something. But then I guess that's what Cuaron was going for because in a loose sense, it mirrors the experience of these characters who's lives, and who's adventure, passes by with no sudden developments, and then bam!
Put very simply, this film is amazing and like the original poster, I've also seen many films which recieve more acclaim than this one; films I've enjoyed, but that have not
really
resonated. Y tu mam tambin effortlessly adresses political and personal issues in a way you rarely see in modern cinema.
I don't know if Y tu mam tambin is the best film I've ever seen, but it's without a doubt the most affecting. -
Johnny_Lovegood — 18 years ago(July 13, 2007 10:06 PM)
I agree with durg1, what is the "work of art" you see in this film? I spent a good $4 renting this peice of crap that had sooooo much hype and for what? A movie about two guys that stop being friends just because they found out they were gay?
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Krustallos — 18 years ago(July 20, 2007 08:49 AM)
A movie about two guys that stop being friends just because they found out they were gay?
Yeah, well, "Citizen Kane" is just a movie about a guy with an overly close attachment to his sledge.
I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to leave the room with a little dignity.