Luna to Garcia Bernal in Rudo y Cursi: "I'M the hot shot superstar player.. got it?!"

Cast: Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Guillermo Francella, Joaquín Cosio
Director: Carlos Cuarón
Screenwriter: Carlos Cuarón

A rags-to-riches fairytale with a big dose of reality thrown in for good measure, Rudo y Cursi is the story of two brothers earning pittance in a simple family life, who get a lucky break and don’t quite know what to do with it.

Tato aka ‘Rudo’ (Luna) is a strong-headed man with a passion for everything he does, whether that is protecting his mother, working at the local banana plantation or playing goalie for a first division football club. His brother, Tato aka ‘Cursi’ (Garcia Bernal), is the exact opposite; a dreamer hoping for his lucky break into the good life and, ultimately, a singing career.

The one thing the brothers have in common is an undeniable talent for football and the story really starts when football scout Dario ‘‘Batuta’’ Vidali (Francella) rocks into town looking for his next money making “diamonds in the rough”.

Batuta chooses to represent Cursi through a ruthless penalty decider and Rudo is left at home looking after his wife and kids.  The animosity between the two brothers is tangible; Cuaron does a good job of ensuring that the audience understands the blow to Rudo’s ego.

Rudo’s struggle to come to terms with his brother’s success is shortlived though, as he is soon picked up to join a football club as goalkeeper. Soon the brothers, who lived in crowed tin houses and could only dream of building a mansion for their mother, are living the high life. 

Despite a slow start, Cursi soon becomes a star striker for his football club and is chosen to play for the national team.  He dates a beautiful television personality and is given a huge house and car. Rudo begins to build a reputation as a goalkeeper too, making a record for himself.

Of course, if only life was that simple. Soon the brothers have to deal with a host of problems, giving an otherwise uplifting movie a gritty edge. Cursi’s girlfriend decides to ditch him after finding a brighter star to latch on to and Rudo’s habit of gambling takes a climactic turn for the worse as his once disposable income runs thin.

The film reaches a dramatic climax in a déjà vu set of events, where a penalty once again decides the fate of both brothers. 

Rudo y Cursi is a heart warming story ticking all the right boxes, but ultimately it is story reflecting how fragile success can be.  The fame, glory and money given to the brothers are taken away within the blink of an eye.  Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna make a great on screen pairing, portraying both sibling love and rivalry and vulnerability of their positions.

Rudo y Cursi is out now on DVD via Optimum Releasing

By Balihar Khalsa