Dona Herlinda and Her Son [DVD] [1986] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

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.