Rudo Y Cursi
Both comedy and drama, this film was directed by Carlos
Cuarón, who also wrote the screenplay.
It’s about two soccer-playing brothers who work on a banana plantation in a
small Mexican town. A lucky break lands one of them with an agent who takes him
to Mexico City to become a professional soccer player.
Becoming a star soccer
player is like becoming a rock star. For this young man, it means receiving all
kinds of perks including having the woman of his dreams as his girlfriend.
Soon the other brother also becomes a pro player. Eventually
they become rivals in a big game.
This dramedy illustrates wonderfully what can happen to ‘hicks’
when they get into the big leagues. I must admit that I’m not really into
sports but I enjoyed this Spanish language film from Mexico. To me it seemed as
if much of what happens in this film is based on true incidents in the life of
professional soccer players in Mexico.
The two brothers are
played by two great Mexican actors, Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal. Both of
these actors have been in a number of films. They’ve also acted together in Y Tu Mamá También.
Here are some other films with Gael García Bernal:
·
Letters to Juliet, with Amanda Seyfried in what’s
really a “chick flick”
·
Bad Education, a film by Spanish director Pedro
Almodovar about a boys' school
·
The Motorcycle Diaries, a road trip film based on young Che Guevara's travels
·
The Science of Sleep, a film with French actress
Charlotte Gainsbourg
I believe that Diego Luna has been a somewhat under-rated actor because he hasn't gotten as many great roles outside of Mexico as his co-star has. Here are some other films with Diego Luna:
- Milk, a film based on the life of Harvey Milk
- The Terminal, a film with Tom Hanks
- Frida, a film about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo with Selma Hayek
- Mr. Lonely
Here are a few scenes from the film:
Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal as the two brothers leaving work.
Here's a trailer of Rudo Y Cursi.
