Since 1996 |
  
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
|
|
Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
|
| Home
Subscribe About Us Features News Album
Reviews
|
Rudo y Cursi Stars: Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Guillermo Francella, Dolores Heredia, Adriana Paz and Jessica Mas Director/Scriptwriter: Carlos Cuaron Composer: Felipe Perez Santiago Cinematography: Adam Kimmel Composer: Leoncio Lara Spanish Language (subtitled) Sony Pictures Classics/Cha Cha Cha Films Rating: R for profanity, violence and sexuality Running Length: 102 minutes The rivalry between brothers can sometimes reach epic proportions, referencing Wolverine and Sabertooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, rivalry can sometimes be friendly and safely competitive, well, most of the time. Such is the theme of Carlos Cuaron’s Rudo y Cursi, in which two brothers vie for the best in soccer in Mexico. Gael Garcia Bernal (“Y tu mama tambien”) is Tato (nicknamed Cursi) , who is a favorite with women, likes soccer and singing about equally. Diego Luna (“Milk”) is Beto (nicknamed Rudo), who is a bit on the shy side, likes soccer and gambling about equally. The story begins on a banana plantation somewhere in rural Mexico. No matter what, you can always find work here. Tato and Beto spend their time perfecting soccer skills. Tato is a kicker and Beto the goalie. When a soccer scout (Guillermo Francella) comes to town Tato has a contract and Beto thinks it should have been his. The rivalry is on through the years. Tato even tries a music career, and isn't half bad, but his music video is bottom rate. It’s when Beto’s gambling becomes hard to manage that there are problems. Coming from humble beginnings, the brothers don’t know how to handle any kind of success and there seems to be no one to help them. Profanity between the brothers and their teammates will sizzles your ears. Humor is provided by the female television star who decides Tato is her man (among many). She reels him in like a fish. Beto trying to get away from paying gambling debts, is another comic element, plus the percentages agents get from their players. There is such camaraderie between actors Bernal and Luna that their portrayal as brothers seems natural. This really adds to the film because, at times, the audience will think they are part of a family squabble. The story is a usual one about how skill can take you places in sports, but here, with witty dialogue and two at-ease-with-each-other stars, the film stands out. The character actors surrounding the stars add so much to the mix and they include teammates, girlfriends and family. You are a friendly observer of life here and it works. Copyright 2009 Marie Asner
|
Copyright © 1996 - 2009 The Phantom Tollbooth
