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Rudo & Cursi (Rudo y Cursi)
Stars: Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Guillermo Francella, Dolores Heredia, Adriana Paz, Jessica Mas
Director: Carlos Cuaron
It seems just a tad unfair to reunite Luna and Bernal again eight years after their costarring triumph in Y Tu Mama Tambien since the former is now considerably taller than Bernal which causes unmerited amusement when they appear together in this pleasant enough but ultimately forgettable comedy-drama.
The underprivileged brothers live in a small town in rural Mexico where their otherwise miserable lives are enlivened by playing football for the village team. Luna aspires to be a soccer star. Bernal excels at the game but his real ambition is to be a pop star. Hearing him sing on screen, however, made me wonder if his ambition was simply cynically intended by writer-director Carlos Cuaron who scripted Y Tu Mama Tambien.
Eventually the brothers end up as big league soccer stars but their constant lifelong relationship tends to upset their fraternal equilibrium until naturally a feelgood climax intervenes.
Without the stars, the film would barely register. As it is, apart from their considerable charisma and attractive acting, Rudo & Cursi never quite engaged my attention. (Celebrated Mexican moviemakers Alfonso Cuaron (director of Y Tu Mama Tambien and Children of Men), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel, 21 Grams) and Guillermo del Toro (Cronos, Hellboy) serve as producers).
Alan Frank
USA/Mexico 2008. UK Distributor: Optimum Releasing. Colour.
101 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 15.
Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 2, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 2.
Review date: 29 Jun 2009