RUDO Y CURSI
Mexico, 2008, 103 minutes, Colour.
Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Guillermo Francella, Delores Heredia, Adriana Paz, Jessica Mas.
Directed by Carlos Cuaron.
Rudo and Cursi are nicknames for two half-brothers, Beto and Tato. Rudo is translated as 'tough' and Cursi as 'corny'.
This is the first production venture for a company started by three of Mexico's best-known international directors, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron. The film has been written and directed by Cuaron's younger brother Carlos and stars the young actors, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, who made such an impression in Cuaron's Y Tu Mama Tambien and have gone on to successful careers. All this by way of background, but also a build-up to say that one might have expected far more from such talent.
This is a conventional enough story of two young men from the provinces who are stuck there with their dreams. By chance they are spotted by a talent scout and agent as they play football. Tato gets the nod and goes off to Mexico City where he becomes an instant star (for a short time). Beto is the manager of a banana plantation. But, he is also a top goalkeeper and soon he is invited to play professionally and is in line to break a record for goals saved.
So far, so expected. Actually, the next part is also expected. Gambling, women, drugs and collapse.
The dramatic question for the end is whether they will recover their abilities and play themselves out of trouble or whether they will continue their downward spiral. Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna have proven that they can dominate a film. They play well off each other. But, whether there is enough energy and stimulation in the film to draw the audience in, is debatable.
Perhaps the atmosphere of the soccer games is a plus for some audiences. And Guillermo Francelli is fine as the smooth-talking agent. Perhaps, with the credentials of those involved, we were expecting too much.
1.The appeal to a Mexican audience, football fan audience? Worldwide?
2.The production background, the Mexican directors and their prestige? The stars? The writer-director? The final product?
3.The Mexican settings, the countryside, the village, the home, the banana plantations? The contrast with Mexico City, the football arenas? The gambling? The clubs, circus, karaoke? Authentic feel? Style of photography? The music, the songs?
4.The title, Tato and Beto, their nicknames meaning tough and corny?
5.The introduction to the brothers, their mother, the different fathers and the rivalry? Their work in the banana plantation? Beto and his authority, serious-minded? Tato and his work, singing, carefree? Beto and his wife, family, daughter? His gambling? Tato and his wanting to go to the US and be a singer? The table discussion, the mother, the stepfather, the clashes within the family? The sister – and her later marrying the don – and their ignoring his drug lord background?
6.Going to the football, Tato and his encounter with Batuta? The wheel, taking it to the garage? Genial? Batuta and his women? His role as a talent scout, agent? Going to watch the match, seeing the two brothers? His setting up the competition, king(**??) …. the goal? Tato misinterpreting Beto? Tato being employed, Beto’s resentment?
7.The difficulties at home, Beto and his wife, her demands? Her clashes with her mother-in-law, the blender…?
8.Tato, going to the city, introduced to the team, the hazing in the shower? His playing, on the bench, finally a match, the village watching it on television, Beto and his resentment? Tato becoming a star? The fans?
9.Tato wanting to be a singer, Batuta helping him? The record? The music video, the parody, his talent for singing – or not? The karaoke? Singing to the small group at the circus? His being upset?
10.The situation for Beto, the phone call from Batuta? His coming to the city, his reaction to the hazing in the shower? Strong-minded? His skill as a goalkeeper, stopping the goals? Almost getting the record? The two brothers and their fans?
11.The downhill road? Tato, wanting to meet Maya, her appearances on television? Initially ignoring him? Going out with her, spending his money, the proposal? Her dumping him? His resentment? Anger, smashing things, going to pieces? His having to be tranquilised? The contrast with Beto, his continued gambling? In debt to Batuta, to the criminals? His wife coming with their daughter? Her business success – and the wrong counting for her to be the employee of the month?
12.The build-up to the final match, Batuta and his wanting Beto to rig the match? Paying off his debts, the phone calls and the threats? The irony of the fans threatening Tato and yet wanting his autograph?
13.The match, Tato tranquilised, his eventually going on, the messages from Beto via the boy? Beto, his dilemma, whether to rig the match or not?
14.Tato going on, his skills, the set-up for the penalty? Beto and the plan for him to score? Beto automatically stopping it? The match as a draw? Batuta and his anger?
15.The aftermath, Batuta and his narrative throughout the film, his point of view? Tato and his being shot, losing his leg, local coaching? Beto and his playing in the club? The background of the family with the don, the wedding sequence and everybody happy? Their money having a home on the beach?
16.The finale on the beach, the two facing reality – and their future?
