Dona Herlinda and Her Son

Starring:Lucha Villa, Marco Antonio TreviÃ±o, Arturo Meza, Guillermina Alba, Gustavo Mezza, Guadalupe Del Toro, LetÃcia Lupercio
Director: Jaime Humberto Hermosillo
Studio: Vanguard Cinema
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Doña Herlinda is a delightfully singular movie character, a doting widow who wants it all--a happy son, grandchildren, and the respect of her neighbor--and quietly, lovingly manipulates the world around her to get it. Her devoted son, Rodolfo, is gay, but that's no problem: she practically adopts Ramon, his young lover, and even moves him into their house ("Rodolfo's bedroom is big," she smiles with convincing innocence) while simultaneously arranging for Ramon's marriage. Writer-director Jaime Humberto Hermosillo has nothing but respect for his characters, especially Guadalupe Del Toro's sweet and sly Doña Herlinda, a woman who projects naïve innocence while determinedly stage-managing her unconventional family unit. In other hands this might be a recipe for tragedy, but Hermosillo spins it into a lovingly subversive comedy of tolerance, acceptance, and keeping up appearances. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

A cute story, but poorly put together........2006-09-07

Technically, this DVD is awful. The film transfer was poorly executed, and the subtitles are challenging even for the fastest of readers. I found myself constantly replaying bits to catch subtitles that were on the screen for literally 7 frames.

From the standpoint of filmmaking in 2006, this film is awful too. It is poorly paced, edited, and photographed. And don't get me started on the audio mix.

BUT...

I am constantly reminded that a good story and good acting can still make a movie like this watchable.

For a low-budget feature from 1985, it's ok.

cute story waste of money.......2005-10-20

while the story is cute the quality of the acting, cinematography, costumes, and DVD are about as bad as it gets the only film I've seen thats worse is: by hook or by crook. The subtitles go by so fast even evelyn wood could not keep up with them. the sound is like a bad dubbing and the acting is unbelievably bad. It would be nice to see it remade with a good cast aand crew

The Two Lovers.......2005-03-23

Nice story but mediocre acting and mediocre bodies. Surely the producers could have found better looking lovers. One is too old and the other one has a hair problem.

Interesting.......2005-02-08

This gay movie out of Guadalajara is funny, even when it is not meant to be.
First off- the atire! ha! typical 80's Mexican naco! Short shorts, tight shirt, jewelery...and the dancing! I cracked up everytime the two gays were dancing with the ladies...classic!

The acting is pretty horrible, but the characters are just so honest, the concept of a married gay man living with his wife, child, gay lover, and oblivious mother is just too cool to hate.

Watch this if you like Almodovar films, and can stomach the pitiful acting.

Rodolfo and Ramón, and Doña Herlinda - happy for ever.......2005-01-19

Made in 1985 on a very limited budget, Doña Herlinda and Her Son (Doña Herlinda y su hijo) the 1985 film from writer/director Jaime Humberto Hermosillo, is a spot-on funny satire about marriage and relationships both gay and straight. While watching this movie, I was astounded by the frankness at the way gay relationships are depicted in this film, particularly in a Latin American country that is known for its heavy religious conservatism.

To date, I can think of no English language film made in the United States or Great Britain that portrays intimacy between two men in the way that Dona Herlinda and Her Son does. The film is not only a warm gay romantic comedy, but it also shows how relationships of all types can be accommodated and that the most important attribute of family is that everyone just be happy.

This is also a film that depicts gay relationships very positively and the two men are remarkably well adjusted. They also bring a sexy, but ordinary earthiness to their roles, and are totally convincing in their love and sexual attraction to one another.

The film is set in the city of Guadalajara and revolves around the wealthy widow Doña Herlinda (played with appealing warmth and slyness by Guadalupe Del Toro). Dona Herlinda - complete with fiery short red hair and matching muumuus - unadulteratingly dotes on her somewhat spoiled physician son Rodolfo (a very sexy Marco Antonio Trevino). Rodolfo is romantically involved with the young music student Ramón (Arturo Meza), but they are having problems finding privacy - they are constantly interrupted at Ramón's hostel. When Dona Herlinda asks Ramon to stay with her and her son, the sexual sparks really fly; it doesn't help that Rodolfo is required to take on a wife while still wanting to keep his young male lover.

Dona Herlinda uses all the resources at her disposal to protect her son and Ramón, to keep them both happy, and to have the marriage that she so desperately wants for her son. How she does this is the secret, and real message of the movie. There are many surprises in store for the viewer, as Dona Herlinda effortlessly weaves her way through life, with her bright, positive smile, bringing the greatest possible happiness to the greatest number of people, including herself.

The strength of the film is not only Del Toro's captivating performance, but also the performances of the two male leads. There's a sweet innocence and a deep connection to Rodolfo and Ramón's relationship - it's at once sexy, but there is also great love, and it is this love which anchors the film. The viewer really believes Ramon's pain and loss, when he realizes that the hesitant Rodolfo is going to marry Olga (in an astute performance by Letícia Lupercio). And the scenes when Rodolfo and Ramon's are playfully kissing in Rodolfo's childhood bedroom are light-heartedly touching.

The film also says a lot about Mexican society, where Rodolfo, although wealthy, has to bow to middle class conformity by marrying a woman, even though his heart is with a man. Rodolfo, Ramon and their Mother must figure out ways to navigate the traditional social climate and cope with their situation. From the outset, it's made clear that Dona Herlinda has no problem with her son being gay. The movie does an excellent job of highlighting the colorful, sunlit Guadalajara, with its mariachi bands and spacious, Spanish-style homes. And although the film looks dated - with the eighties haircuts and the tight, form fitting bell-bottom pants - it is still lots of fun to watch. Mike Leonard January 05.

Average customer rating:

A cute story, but poorly put together.
cute story waste of money
The Two Lovers
Interesting
Rodolfo and Ramón, and Doña Herlinda - happy for ever

Dona Herlinda and Her Son
Starring: Letícia Lupercio , Lucha Villa , Marco Antonio Treviño , Arturo Meza , and Guillermina Alba
Director: Jaime Humberto Hermosillo
Manufacturer: Strand Releasing
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Gay & Lesbian | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Art House & International | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000FGGN9G
Release Date: 2006-07-18

Amazon.com

Description

In DONA HERLINDA AND HER SON, Rodolfo, a closted doctor, and his younger paramour Ramon desperately need more privacy from neighbors and Rodolfo's overbearing mother, Dona Herlinsa, to carry on their affair. Ironically enough, Dona Herlinda herself provides the solution by inviting Ramon to live in her house, in her son's bedroom no less. Dona Herlinda has a grand plan for her son, one involving very alternative living arrangements, quite subversive for its time and for Mexican cinema as a whole. While the two cavort tenderly, Rodolfo obliges to his mother's arranged dates with various women; even marriage is not too much to ask to satisfy mother.

Customer Reviews:

A cute story, but poorly put together........2006-09-07

cute story waste of money.......2005-10-20

The Two Lovers.......2005-03-23

Nice story but mediocre acting and mediocre bodies. Surely the producers could have found better looking lovers. One is too old and the other one has a hair problem.

Interesting.......2005-02-08

Rodolfo and Ramón, and Doña Herlinda - happy for ever.......2005-01-19

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