Review: RUDO Y CURSI (M)

GAEL GARCÍA BERNAL, DIEGO LUNA

DIRECTED BY CARLOS CUARÓN

Rudo y Cursi reunites the stars and the writer (now writer/director) of the 2001 international hit Y tu mama tambien in a rags-to-riches story of two impoverished Mexican brothers who stumble into football superstardom thanks to an avaricious talent scout.

Whereas the team’s first film was a poignant coming-of-age tale, Rudo y Cursi is a gentle comedic romp that delights in the faults of its unlikely heroes: Tato (Garcia Bernal), a tone deaf accordion player who dreams of success as a pop star; and his short-tempered, gambling-addicted half-brother Beto (Luna, seen recently in Milk as the suicidal Jack Lira).

Narrated by the talent scout Batuta (Guillermo Francella), who discovers the boys when his sports car breaks down in their village, the film focuses on the brothers’ competitive, love-hate relationship and their damaging encounters with the trappings of celebrity. Wisely, it steers away from actually showing the on-field action, save for the climactic match at the film’s finale in which Tato (now nicknamed ‘Cursi’ (‘Corny’) because of his exuberant playing style) is pitted directly against his goalie brother Beto, now better known as ‘Rudo’ (‘Tough’).

Less a film about sport and sibling rivalry than it is a character study shaped by family and fame, Rudo y Cursi coasts along for much of its running time on charm alone, thanks to the charisma of its stars. It’s a sweet but slight film, and will quickly be forgotten.

Rudo Y Cursi is in limited release.

Rating: Three stars