Y Tu Mama Meaning

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Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También (2001) is a comedic coming of age movie with deep political messages regarding the current state of Mexico. Through the portrayal of the voice-over narrator, the protagonists, the straying camera, and the plot, Cuarón slowly allows the audience to differentiate between the lives of the working and upper class as well as the state of living poor inhabitants have to endure.
The voice over narration is the key to discovering the underlying meaning of the story. Within the first few minutes of the film, the narrator gives the audience background information about Julio and Tenoch. Knowing that Tenoch is part of an upper class family and Julio from a working class family provides a contrast between the two characters. Later on, the narrator’s purpose becomes revealing subtle actions that allude to the beliefs and morality of the protagonists. For example, the voiceover explains that when Tenoch uses Julio’s restroom, he lifts the seat with his foot while Julio lights a match in Tenoch’s after using it to hide the smell. Tenoch’s action is a sign of disrespect for the working class in general and Julio’s shows that he does
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Luisa’s last name is Cortés, the name of a conquistador who caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. This implies that she was there to dismantle Julio and Tenoch’s boyish behavior. After dying, both held her memory and her words in their hearts. Julio’s last name, Zapata, is the name of a revolutionary while Tenoch’s first name belongs to an Aztec ruler, further proving his status above Julio. Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También (2001) may seem like a comedic coming-of-age movie, but underneath the surface, it subtly depicts the harsh struggle of individuals in Mexico at the time. By adding political influence in many parts of the film, Cuarón perfectly addresses the political, economic, and class issues while making an original coming-of-age