Reviews of Rudo y Cursi
Displaying all 4 reviews
HEDONIST
17Jun10
A well put together, heart-warming film evoking a novelistic style of voice-over narration first made popular by such films as Truffaut’s ‘Jules et Jim’ and later with Carlos Cuarón’s own brother’s masterpiece of Mexican cinema ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’. Personally, I find comparisons between this film and ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ are often negative and in response to that I must argue the fact that although the two films do engage in similar modes of narration, they are completely separate entities from two different directors… Granted that they are brothers and a lot of the same individuals worked on both films… Be that as it may, it doesn’t seem that the cinematic style is what is in question, rather, people seem to have a problem with the performances of both Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna…
The problem here is that those critical individuals seem to be too romantically inclined in the sense that they hold up ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ to a sort of cult-like status, refusing to acknowledge the fact that the actors/players must age over time and accordingly, directors and producers must mature and evolve in their manner of stylistic representation… Furthermore, they refuse to understand the fact that the films are not only separated by about 7 years – thus, have a different socio/political atmosphere from which to respond to and furthermore, represent different internal compositions as the artist matures over time – but they are also composed of completely different subject matter. ‘Y Tu Mama…’ focuses on the more affluent side of Mexican culture, one that is quite unfortunately, often disregarded and forgotten by Mexican auteurs… in fact, in ‘Y Tu Mama’ we are introduced to two bored, well off young men born into the Mexican upper-class… In ‘Rudo Y Cursi’ on the other hand, we get the heart-warming, entrancing story of the meteoritic rise of two country (ranchero) laborers who play soccer for fun and end up getting discovered by a talent agent when his tire breaks down in a small town in a rural area of Mexico… this talent agent ends up being the individual to narrate the story… In that sense, I find this element to the production to be very novelistic and almost evocative of the early 20th century novels of William Faulkner or Ernest Hemingway. Furthermore, I find this style of narration compellingly representative of Carlos Cuarón’s background in the study of literature… Who said studying English doesn’t pay off?
- Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
Fernando Beltran y Puga
17Oct09
I didn’t like this film at all. It’s full of cliches, an implausible plot, and annoying performances by otherwise brilliant actors. I also don’t understand the Cuarons’ obsession with voice overs, which I feel are used in a very condescending manner.
It’s easy to be biased into thinking that because of the caliber of the people behind the project, this has to be a great movie. Nothing further from the truth.
With all the heavy artillery behind this project, Carlos Cuaron wasted a good opportunity to make a brilliant directorial debut.
- Currently 2.0/5 Stars.
Francesca R.B.
2Jun09
A very tightly filmed movie, very strong editing, great soundtrack, very funny moments (the “music video” is worth seeing in and of itself), and not to mention that Bernal and Luna are total hunks as usual. The one thing that really annoyed me though was that you never see Gael’s character, Cursi, ACTUALLY playing soccer. I would seem that they could have gotten some good shots with a double from behind or at least choreographed some interesting ball play with Gael if he isn’t that great of a player in reality. It was just somewhat strange to watch an entire film in which one of the main points of interest for the film – the “art” of soccer, if you will – is barely shown… it’s very entertaining otherwise, but some of the “heartfelt” metaphors made about soccer fall a little flat without the proper action.
- Currently 3.0/5 Stars.
Gray Beltran
9May09
Early on in “Rudo y Cursi,” a soccer talent scout named Batuta stops near a small Mexican village when his Corvette blows a tire. Two brothers from the local banana plantation, Beto and Tato Verdusco, help Batuta (Guillermo Francella) on the way to their soccer game.
Later, as the Verdusco brothers dominate the field, the talent scout realizes he’s found two “diamonds in the rough.” But after the game, Batuta tells Beto (Diego Luna) and Tato (Gael García Bernal) that he can only take one of them to Mexico City.
To decide which one of them will travel to the city and tryout for an elite team, the Verdusco brothers opt to shoot a single penalty kick. It’s an apt beginning for a fable that hinges on many such moments of chance. As Batuta, the unlikely storyteller of this fable, tells us, “Everything in life is a bet: The soccer ball hits the goal post and bounces out, or it bounces in and becomes a goal.” It all depends on destiny, he says. And as the fortunes of the Verdusco brothers rise and fall throughout “Rudo y Cursi,” destiny becomes both a blessing and a curse.
The film’s title evokes the Verdusco brothers’ respective monikers. Beto Verdusco is called “Rudo” (Tough) because he’s a fierce goalkeeper and a man who never backs down from a fight. His half-brother Tato earns the nickname “Cursi” (Corny) because he dances every time he scores a goal. While Tato dreams of a singing career, Beto gambles away his future earnings on racehorses and card games. It’s the only way he can feel the adrenaline of being in the goal after the game’s over.
The collision of dreams and disappointment threaded through “Rudo y Cursi” harks back to 2001’s “Y Tu Mamá También.” But unlike the teenage friends played by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal in the earlier film, the brothers in “Rudo y Cursi” dream on a grand scale, enchanted with wealth and celebrity. Unfortunately, the characters’ inevitable disappointment comes close to eclipsing their initial dreams.
Similarities between the two films are to be expected; Carlos Cuarón, the writer and director of “Rudo y Cursi,” co-wrote “Y Tu Mamá También” with his brother, director Alfonso Cuarón. Rather than a depiction of the relationship between the two Cuarón brothers, Alfonso Cuarón insists that “Rudo y Cursi” is a “portrait of two parts that coexist within Carlos himself.”
It’s hard to imagine any two actors better prepared to play the Verdusco brothers than Bernal and Luna. Not only did they perform together in “Y Tu Mamá También” with award-winning results, but they’ve been close friends since childhood. (According to Alfonso Cuarón, “they can communicate almost by telepathy.”) Based on their performances in “Rudo y Cursi,” Bernal and Luna can clearly identify with the characters they portray, as well as the disorientation of sudden fame.
- Currently 4.0/5 Stars.