Game on

Rudo y Cursi is a bittersweet
tale of sibling soccer rivalry

FRATERNAL FOOTIE: Luna (L) and Bernal

by MATTHEW HAYS

Watching the new Mexican film Rudo y Cursi, one question kept running through my mind: Can Gael García Bernal ever do wrong? From the moment he offered such an inspired performance in Amores perros, he’s continued to rack up substantive roles in offbeat films. He’s one of those actors who you know will be worth watching, even if the material isn’t always quite as good as he is.

This is the case with Rudo y Cursi. This is an often-hilarious movie about bitter sibling rivalry. It reunites Bernal with his Y tu mamá también co-star Diego Luna—here, the two play poor brothers who dream big despite their economic woes. They are both discovered by a shady agent, who finds them spots on rival teams; Bernal is an outstanding player, Luna is a top-notch goalie. They get caught up in the pro-sports world of money, lady friends, cars, mansions and more money.

There are a number of fun moments in Rudo y Cursi. But most of the fun comes from the sheer energy of Bernal and Luna’s winning performances. There are twists (no spoilers here) as Luna’s bad gambling habit leads him into a quagmire with the Mafioso he owes money to. The story arc takes the predictable turn: things go sour and south as the money accumulates. Relationships break down, and mammon leads to misery. It can’t buy everything, the filmmaker tells us, telegraphed in great big bold letters just so no one in the back row misses it.

The movie of brotherly love and hate could have used more twists and a bit less cliché, something there’s no shortage of here. The credit list boasts no less than three of the most influential names in Latino cinema as producers: Alfonso Cuarón (brother of the film’s writer/director Carlo Cuarón), Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarrítu. This had another question running through my head, as Rudo y Cursi unreeled before my eyes: with this much talent involved, couldn’t they have afforded a better script doctor?

Still, even given that question, Rudo y Cursi remains worth seeing. Bernal and Luna are just too good to miss.

RUDO Y CURSI OPENS FRIDAY, MAY 22