KCMETROPOLIS.org
Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

It's a story that's as old as Cain and Abel - In the comedic drama Rudo Y Cursi, two brothers, or in this case half-brothers, are pitted against one another in the fan-crazed world of Mexican soccer.

With direction and screenwriting by Carlos Cuarón (Y tu mamá también), Rudo Y Cursi begins in a poor, rural village where Beto (Diego Luna), nicknamed Rudo, and Tato (Gael García Bernal), nicknamed Cursi, live with their extended family as they eke out an existence by working on a banana plantation. Rudo is a temperamental, somewhat unlikable husband and father with a gambling addiction. Cursi is a romantic dreamer who wants to become a professional singer, but has a laughable singing voice.

Winds of change blow into town when a scout from Mexico City named Batuta (Guillermo Francella) watches  a local soccer match involving the two half-brothers. Batuta, who has a taste for fast cars and beautiful women, eventually signs them to two different professional teams in Mexico City. Rudo establishes fame as a hard-nosed goalie while Cursi becomes popular for his ability as a scoring machine and his relationship with a sluttish, gold digger pinup model (Jessica Mas). Inevitably they square off against each other in a match that will alter their lives.

Rudo Y Cursi never seems to know what it wants to be. It contains a few good laughs thanks to Bernal's lively performance and Cuarón's script, but it also becomes darkly dramatic thanks to Luna's portrayal of a man who falls into a dark abyss of jealousy and addiction. Ultimately, Cuarón is able to balance comedy and tragedy.  The film is able to wear the two masks that represent theater.

The strength of Rudo Y Cursi is not its ability to be a great sports film. In soccer terms, it doesn't bend like Beckham. Nearly all of the soccer action takes place off camera and so we are stuck with watching stadium crowds react to events that aren't really there. It's like being on the field with your back turned to all of the action. As a consequence, it's nearly impossible to accept that the two half-brothers are as good as the hype. It also significantly diminishes any adrenaline rush that an audience member can typically feel during a sports-themed film. As a result, the climax, which is predictable, has about as much excitement as watching an underwater basket weaving competition.

On a letter grade scale from A being excellent to F for failing, Rudo Y Cursi receives a C+.
Rudo Y Cursi is rated R and has a running time of 103 minutes.

Now Showing
Tivoli Cinemas
Westport Manor Square
4050 Pennsylvania, KCMO.

For tickets and show times call 913-383-7756 or online at www.tivolikc.com

By Michael D. Smith

Indie Film Editor

Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.

In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.

Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.