Reviews > Movie Reviews > Rudo & Cursi…
Rudo & Cursi Review
Carlos Cuaron has written and directed half a dozen movies in his own right.
It must be a bit galling that outside Mexico he’s really only known as the kid brother of Alfonso (Children of Men; Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban).
The siblings collaborated on the script for Y Tu Mama Tambien, which Alfonso directed, and which made the names of Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, who reteam here as half-brothers Tato – nicknamed Cursi (“Corny”) – and Beto – nicknamed Rudo (“Rough”), respectively.
The lads live in a poor and remote northern Mexican village, the kind of place where a passing car might be the most exciting thing that happens all day. As it happens, just such an event proves life-changing for Cursi. The driver needs directions to the nearest garage. Cursi is happy to oblige, and as they talk discovers the stranger is an agent. Immediately he breaks into song – singing is his passion – but Batuta (well played by Argentine comic Guillermo Francella) is not that kind of agent.
Cast details
-
Gael Garcia Bernal
Born: 30 Nov 1978
Guadalajara, JaliscoTop rated films View all The Motorcycle Diaries - Blu-ray (2004) 
In the most egregious turn of a highly contrived set up, both brothers are prodigious talents in the village football team. Cursi is a quickfire striker. Rudo is a great keeper. And Batuta is a scout for the top clubs in the country. Only thing is… he has room for just one more prospect on his books.
How to decide which brother gets a shot at the big leagues? A penalty kick, of course… .
What follows is a broad (but naturalistic) satire about a hick becoming an overnight celebrity, his love-hate relationship with his brother, and the effect of all this money and good fortune on his love-life, his football, and his family.
The movie has some interesting quirks. The way Cuaron chooses to film the matches is quite unusual, especially for what he chooses not to show… namely, football.
Rudo & Cursi: Gael Garcia Bernal & Diego Luna star
It seems this portrait struck a chord back home. The first film from Cha Cha Cha Productions, the company formed by Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Alfonso, Rudo y Cursi was a big hit in Mexico. I can’t see it doing Y Tu Mama Tambien business here, though. The title gets it right: it is rough and it is cornball. Despite the generous charisma of Bernal and Luna the characters aren’t easy to warm to, and in its second half the movie gets stuck in a predictable downward spiral. As for Carlos, he’s just not in Alfonso’s league.
That said, it would be fun to see a British comedy take an equally mischievous poke at our homegrown football scene.
Rudo & Cursi Reviews
loading...
Most popular articles
Let's get social
For up-to-the-minute competitions, interviews, news and reviews - follow LOVEFiLM on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
Sign up to our free newsletter
Get a weekly dose of love film
Our weekly newsletter is packed full of news, reviews and opinions, and handily delivered straight to your inbox.
News, Reviews & Interviews
-
With Golden Globes behind it, this comedy-drama starring George Clooney proves to be a rare treat in its simplicity. Read more
-
Unscripted and off the cuff, writer/director Drake Doremus' Like Crazy is a refreshingly honest take on long-distance love, and boy does it pull at the heart strings. Read more
-
A creepy Indie drama that delivers a star in the making; Elizabeth Olsen deserved an Oscar-nod for her spellbinding performance. Read more
-
After a long absence, The Muppet are back with plenty of singing, dancing, and nostalgia. Read more
Want to watch something right now?
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | EULA | Affiliates | Jobs | Inside LOVEFiLM Blog | About Us | Contact Us
International sites UK DK DE SE NO
LOVEFiLM, the LOVEFiLM logo and all other LOVEFiLM product or service names are trade marks of LOVEFiLM International Ltd. or its affiliates.
© 2012 LOVEFiLM UK Ltd. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
-
- Formats
- DVD
- Blu-ray
- HD DVD
- Cinema
- LOVEFiLM Instant
- Hotlists
- New releases
- Just added
- Coming soon
- Most popular
- Film or TV
- Film & Features
- Television
-
- DVD Charts
- UK weekly rental chart
- All time top 250
- BFI top 100
- AFI top 100
- Most wanted Blu-rays
- TV weekly rental chart
- The Collection Section
- Celebrity collections
- Unofficial collections
- User collections
-
- Hotlists
- New releases
- Coming soon
-
- Watch Online
- With package
- Pay Per View
- Free
- Hotlists
- New releases
- Just added
- Film or TV
- Film & Features
- Television
- LOVEFiLM on TV
- LOVEFiLM direct to your TV
- Connect your PC to your TV