Summer Loving Torture Party

While most spent this past weekend celebrating their red, white and blues, I made it a point to celebrate more foreign affairs during the daytime. I finally got around to watching Sólo Con Tu Pareja, a film given to me by a friend whose taste in movies is always pretty spot-on, Mr. Rocketeam himself, Fu.

The story revolves around budding ad-writer, Tomás Tomás, and his misadventures juggling the romantic interests in his life. When one night he messes with the wrong woman, it sets off a chain of events that leads him to re-examine his life and personal philosophy on love. While the story itself may not sound like it has the most original plot line, it's undeniably infectious as a result of a terrific ensemble cast of primarily unknowns, clever writing and beautiful directing courtesy of the Cuarón brothers (who later went on to make the acclaimed Y Tu Mamá También).






The cinematography throughout was pretty impeccable, and watching the bonus features, I was quick to realize that the look-and-feel of the film had very much been planned out well in advance. The green-tones prevail above all else, giving it an automatic stylization akin to Melville, whose Le Samourai set new ground in French cinematography in 1967. It also shares a very similar pallette and tone to Goran Dukic's Wristcutters from 2006, which may be another reason why Sólo Con Tu Pareja felt so familiar upon first viewing. They're both love-inspired dark-comedies with a penchant for all things clinical-green.






The film also makes nods to Godard in its amorous depiction of the city from which the director hails. For Godard, it was always his showcasing of the Paris he knew and loved. For Cuarón, it's his passion for Mexico City at the height of its beauty. He takes foreign viewers on a rollercoaster through the heights of the city, and the beautiful architectural heritage that simply isn't depicted enough in films broadcast Stateside. I was left quite enamored and amazed at just how breathtaking Mexico City is (or perhaps was in 1991).






Though Y Tu Mamá También may have put the Cuaróns on the map in an immediate sense (Sólo Con Tu Pareja was actually considered a failure at the box officer), its this film that really set a precedent for all that was to come. If you have an hour and half or so and haven't seen this yet, do yourself a favor and snatch it up. It's hilarious, engaging and all-around entertaining from start-to-finish.


Oh, and if you like what you see, watch the Making Of featurette. It's pretty insightful and, as always, Criterion's presented it at the highest standard - right down to the packaging.