REVIEW: ‘Tú y Yo,’ now available virtually from Cinema Tropical
Photo: Tú y Yo stars Paula Lebrón and Francisca Pérez De Sosa. Photo courtesy of Cinema Tropical / Provided with permission.
Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada’s 2014 film Tú y Yo is a quiet, subtle docu-drama that depicts the relationship between two women: the Mrs., an elderly widow, and Aridia, a maid who helps out around the house. These two characters are portrayed by Paula Lebrón and Francisca Pérez De Sosa.
For most of the 86 minutes, the Mrs. and Aridia are amiable and kind toward each other. Their life is seemingly complementary and peaceful. They both garden. They both gossip about this and that. They enjoy a field trip to a local botanical garden. They are glued to the television to watch their favorite telenovela.
[Read Hollywood Soapbox’s review of Cabral and Estrada’s Site of Sites.]
However, if the viewer looks closely at this double portrait, certain themes begin to emerge. The themes are not overbearing are immediately evident, but it comes clear enough what Cabral and Estrada are after in this Dominican Republic-set movie.
The Mrs. has the power in this dynamic relationship. One only has to look at how she enjoys her supper. Aridia has cooked a meal big enough for both of them, but only the Mrs. sits at the dining room table. If the Mrs. wakes up in a bad mood, Aridia is the subject of her scorn. When they garden “together,” it’s more like the Mrs. calling out orders, and Aridia following the directions.
This relational makeup defies easy categorization. The early, somewhat deceptive scenes speak to a friendship, but the latter, harsher scenes clearly outline a working relationship. They are not equals, it would seem, so that means Tú y Yo depicts an employer-employee dynamic. But, yet, friendship seems to be present as well because the two enjoy other’s company, for the most part. It’s hard to see the Mrs. living without Aridia, and presumably Aridia enjoys helping the Mrs., quirks and all. But when decisions have to be made or expectations not met, it’s the Mrs. with the clear upper-hand
Tú y Yo, now available to rent or buy from Cinema Tropical, may not be the most profound documentary / drama, and it takes some time to figure out the narrative thrust of these two characters, but once a cinematic rhythm is achieved and the themes become apparent, the film proves to be a clever and thoughtful study of two people tied together, yet eternally apart.
One final note: It’s tough to classify the movie as a documentary or a drama, or perhaps both. The dialogue is seemingly improvised and authentic, but Cabral and Estrada are credited as writers. It may be a fictional drama, but the film also won documentary awards at film festivals. That’s another of the joys of watching Tú y Yo: it’s never apparent how this story is being told, which actually connects the film with Cabral and Estrada’s later effort, Site of Sites, another fascinating portrait that captures real life — or does it?
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Tú y Yo (2014). Written and directed by Natalia Cabral and Oriol Estrada. Starring Paula Lebrón and Francisca Pérez De Sosa. In Spanish with English subtitles. Running time: 86 minutes. Rating: 
Click here to screen the film via Cinema Tropical.
