ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

GAEL GARCIA BERNAL and Diego Luna have helped to put modern Mexican cinema on the map. The two friends have starred in such landmark films as Amores Perros and Y Tu Mama Tambien. Now they are reunited on Rudo y Cursi, a boisterous tale of two brothers given a taste of wealthy and glory when they are spotted by a football talent scout.

Told with a brash swagger, this is not in the same league as their earlier films but still provides an enjoyable fable on the perils of fame and the power of family to transcend all hardships.

Beto (Diego Luna) and his brother Tato (Gael Garcia Bernal) are humble workers on a banana plantation in rural Mexico. One day a talent scout sees both of them playing football and offers to take one of them with him to Mexico City.

Tato, nicknamed Cursi, is the lucky brother and soon he is living the high life with a glamorous girlfriend, a luxury house and a fast car. His real dream is to have a career as a singer. Eventually Beto’s prowess as a goalkeeper takes him to Mexico City where his addiction to gambling will prove his greatest weakness.

Rudo y Cursi requires a considerable suspension of disbelief. Both actors are nearer to an age when footballers are retiring than just starting out and the film really doesn’t include a great deal of football action. Instead, it casts a sharp eye on the changes in their fortunes, with Cursi suddenly transformed from naive hick into a snappy dresser with blonde highlights in his hair and a ridiculous video to promote his first single.

The two actors bring a great deal of natural chemistry and warmth to their roles, and the film develops into a superficial but often entertaining morality tale.

Selected national release

Director: Carlos Cuaron
Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Guillermo Francella, Dolores Heredia, Adriana Paz
Screenwriter: Carlos Cuaron
Certificate: 18
Running time: 103 mins
Country: Mexico
Year: 2008