Alfonso Cuaron's masterpiece, a daring and exciting political allegory about corruption in contemporary Mexico, loaded with sex and nudity, as well as deep tenderness and compassion for humanity. The twin opening scenes are stunning. They set the tone for the rest of the film, which becomes increasingly politicized as it progresses, using a narration to inform us of disturbing social realities that the main protagonists blissfully ignore. And that's because they are too busy trying to get into the pants of a middle-aged, but stunningly beautiful Maribel Verdu. Here the film offers a brilliant twist. What at first appears as a fulfilment of the young men's conscious sexual fantasies, ultimately focuses on the sexual fantasies of Verdu, as well as the young men's unconscious (and deeply hidden) desires. To put it bluntly, she takes advantage of them, rather than vice versa. And as result, their friendship is over.
