Rudo y Cursi is a Spanish foreign language film that follows
the journey of two brothers who both have dreams of becoming professional football
(soccer) players.
The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, who both starred together in Y Tu Mamá También.
The two actors clearly had amazing chemistry as they return as brothers in this one. The duo are known as one of the best comical 'big screen' pairings of the 2000’s.
The two actors clearly had amazing chemistry as they return as brothers in this one. The duo are known as one of the best comical 'big screen' pairings of the 2000’s.
The aforementioned Bernal also starred in the Chilean film No in 2012.
Rudo y Cursi touches on themes relating to corruption within
the professional Mexican football league (known today as La Liga MX), opportunities available in rural Mexico
and the importance football has in Latin America.
Synopsis
Rudo y Cursi tells a story of brotherly rivalry. Brothers Tato
(Bernal) and Beto (Luna) live in a small Mexican shantytown.
Now in their twenties, the two brothers work at a local banana plantation to make ends meet, while playing football in their local rec league after work hours.
Now in their twenties, the two brothers work at a local banana plantation to make ends meet, while playing football in their local rec league after work hours.
When a football scout’s car breaks down in town, he ends up
watching the two brothers play and is blown away. He promises that he can get one of them a trial
for a well-known football club in the Mexican segunda division (the Mexican
minor leagues). The brothers decide that the best way to solve who goes is by a penalty shot.
After said penalty, one of their fates is sealed and he and the scout leave the next day to head to Mexico City. This leaves the other brother sulking at home.
After said penalty, one of their fates is sealed and he and the scout leave the next day to head to Mexico City. This leaves the other brother sulking at home.
But fret not! As after making his club’s squad, the successful
brother persuades his now agent to bring up his other brother to the city to
play for another club. And so begins the tale of the two country boys playing
football in the big city for different clubs.
The remainder of the film follows the two brothers as they
each go down different paths. Tato wow’s with his goal-scoring
and corny celebrations, while Beto makes a name for himself as a take no
prisoners goalkeeper.
We see the two brothers take on the Liga and how this effects them in different ways.
All of these ups, downs, laughs and sorrows are depicted for your viewing pleasure. Making for a hilarious and entertaining watch.
We see the two brothers take on the Liga and how this effects them in different ways.
All of these ups, downs, laughs and sorrows are depicted for your viewing pleasure. Making for a hilarious and entertaining watch.
Important Themes
As stated in the earlier sections of this post, Rudo
y Cursi touches on real world themes relating to football in Mexico’s professional
leagues.
Historically, Mexico’s Liga has been home to some of the world’s most heated rivalries, but has never reached the popularity, viewership or international reputation compared to leagues
across Europe.
Presently, the Liga MX still suffers from these problems. In
hopes of solving them, Liga MX representatives have made penned a partnership with
the MLS (America’s Major League Soccer) and hope to join forces to make one giant league, an action which would exponentially increase
the Liga MX’s profits.
The Mexican Liga was first established in the 1920’s as an amateur
league in Mexico City and became a professional league in 1943. After Mexico
hosted the World Cup in 1970, the Mexican Liga received a boom in popularity
and notoriety and underwent various changes in format to attract more
international interest.
With the adoption of playoff series’, elimination games, schedule formatting and heated qualification matches. Leading to the Liga MX forming in 2012 with it’s current format.
With the adoption of playoff series’, elimination games, schedule formatting and heated qualification matches. Leading to the Liga MX forming in 2012 with it’s current format.
However, despite not being recognized as one of the big
leagues in the world, the Mexican Liga is one of the most cutthroat leagues
worldwide.
As Rudo y Cursi illustrates, football in Latin America is almost akin to a religion. Where supporters will literally kill for their teams and put their club above their own lives. This level of devotion to one’s club is usually discussed when talking about Argentine and Brazilian clubs like Boca Juniors, River Plate, Grêmio and Flamengo. However, this phenomenon is also just as popular in Mexico.
As Rudo y Cursi illustrates, football in Latin America is almost akin to a religion. Where supporters will literally kill for their teams and put their club above their own lives. This level of devotion to one’s club is usually discussed when talking about Argentine and Brazilian clubs like Boca Juniors, River Plate, Grêmio and Flamengo. However, this phenomenon is also just as popular in Mexico.
Corruption within the Liga itself is historically the biggest
problem when it comes to football in Mexico. Just like many industries in the
country, bosses, managers, referees and even players can be bought off.
The
league has a rich history of corruption where clubs can by their way into
inclusion of the Primera division, clubs can be literally owned by cartels, matches
can be fixed and agents work in tandem with managers to play certain players
(for a hefty cut of money, of course).
Rudo y Cursi does a fantastic job
comically depicting this aspect of Mexican football, while still telling a
really good story.
Conclusion
Rudo y Cursi is a great film. To this day it remains to be one
of my favourite football films of all time (don’t you dare
tell me to call it soccer).
The film is massively entertaining, funny, dramatic and it
takes you on a wild journey. A journey much like Y Tu Mamá También takes you on.
Since Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna play the lead roles in both films, the films share many glaring similarities. So much so that many call Rudo y Cursi a reunion film. As both actors came back together after seven years to act in yet another classic.
Since Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna play the lead roles in both films, the films share many glaring similarities. So much so that many call Rudo y Cursi a reunion film. As both actors came back together after seven years to act in yet another classic.
Do yourself a favour and watch Rudo y Cursi. It is a must
watch if you are a fan of the beautiful game or if you’re just a fan of awesome
film. Either way it’ll take you on a wild ride. So buckle up and get your popcorn ready!
