Rudo y Cursi

Rudo y Cursi is director Carlos Cuaron's feature film debut. It is also the first of five films to be produced by Cha Cha Cha productions. This is the company formed by the Three Amigos (Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu). The script was co-written by the two Cuaron brothers.

Brothers (same mother, different fathers) Tato (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Beto (Diego Luna) live in a small Mexican village and work at a banana plantation. Tato loves to sing and has hopes of becoming a famous singer. Beto is married with kids and has a gambling problem. One day a man named Batuta (Guillermo Francella) drives through the village looking for potential soccer players. Out of the two he picks Tato. But a short time later he needs another player for a rival team and Beto is the man for the job.

At first the brothers enjoy their fame. But fame has its price. And for me that is what this film is about. I won't go into anymore plot details. You will have to see the film to find out what happens. I will tell you that Beto is nicknamed Rudo (rough around the edges) and Tato is nicknamed Cursi (cornball).

Bernal and Luna have a wonderful chemistry together. They are totally believable as brothers. Francella is very good as the opportunistic Batuta. The supporting cast is good as well. The music in the film is great. I liked this film and consider it a good film. But it is not in the same class as Y tu Mama Tambien, directed by brother Alfonso. But Carlos has shown potential with this film (which is sometimes quite funny) and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.