Dona Herlinda and Her Son Reviews

A sex comedy usually succeeds when it gives a fresh twist to old expectations, something the satirical DONA HERLINDA AND HER SON does with unrelenting zest. Dona Herlinda (Del Toro) is the wealthy mother of Rodolfo (Trevino), a closeted gay doctor involved in a relationship with Ramon (Meza), a music student. The two men are in desperate need of some privacy to carry on their affair, a problem which seems to be solved when Dona Herlinda invites Ramon to move in with her and her son. This is more than an act of charity, though, for this particular doting mother has an involved plan to keep her son both happy and respectable, bringing in Olga (Lupersio) to become Rodolfo's heterosexual wife. Disappointed with his lover's acceptance of this plan and jealous of Olga, Ramon goes out for a romp, but is unable to forget the traitorous mama's boy he loves. Marvelously funny, DONA HERLINDA AND HER SON develops its unusual plot line in a simple, matter-of-fact style, and the final twists arrive at the end of considerable comic momentum. What is most amazing is not only Dona Herlinda's orchestration of personality and situation, but what also seems to be her determined blindness to her son's homosexuality. Each of the characters is mindfully etched, with performances that make the viewer honestly care about these people. Sexual situations, be they homosexual or heterosexual, are wisely presented without judgment, simply becoming a part of the hilarious comic tableau. Director Hermosillo skillfully evolves a pointed yet gentle satire of mothering and traditional family structures while managing to produce a highly engaging entertainment at the same time.