Apparently it’s a hit in Mexico, which shows a remarkably generous sense of humour, given that Cuaron leaves no one standing. It’s a funny movie but quite brutal.
Comment
07/31/09
Rudo and Cursi (2009)
73
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:102
Fresh:74
Rotten:28
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Despite its fair share of sports movie cliches, Rudo y Cursi marks an auspicious directing debut for Carlos Cuarón, and features strong performances from García Bernal and Luna.
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $1,746,295
Synopsis: Beto (Diego Luna) and Tato (Gael García Bernal) Verdusco are brothers who work at a banana plantation and also play soccer for the village team. Nicknamed “Tough” because of his personality and... [More]
Reviews for Rudo and Cursi
Top CriticA film that can’t quite choose between the light and dark possibilities it conjures.
07/31/09
Top CriticFirst time director Carlos Cuaron successfully mixes touching comedy with biting social realism.
07/29/09
Top CriticGarcia and Luna share outstanding chemistry together, and provide Rudo y Cursi with a definite edge and generous spirit of bewilderment that keeps the picture engaging.
07/27/09
Top CriticBright, fresh, well observed human drama dressed up as comedy as two brothers rise from rags to riches through their soccer talents
07/23/09
Top CriticWriter director Carlos Cuarón (brother of Alfonso) has created characters that are so real you can almost hear their thoughts. Tato and Beto are filled with contradictions, faults, quirks and foibles, yet we like them and want them to succeed
07/23/09
Top CriticClick to read the article
09/08/09
Beneath its gritty visual realism -- which feels more suited to a full-on drama -- it's a delightful shrug of a movie.
08/28/09
All you can see are a pair of aging jocks laboring for condescending yuks
08/25/09
A fun yet enlightening film that's part Mexican and all human.
08/24/09
A cheeky viewing experience.
08/07/09
A comically relevant fairy tale about the excessive trappings of celebrity and the dangers of achieving one's goals.
08/03/09
He’s helped by charismatic, pleasingly ambivalent performances by all involved, and while a later penalty sequence is needlessly prolonged, it doesn’t diminish the film’s cumulative effect. Serious fun.
07/03/09
This is a movie enlivened by the two stars’ goofy love-hate relationship, its all-pervasive cynicism and the film-maker’s mischievous decision to keep his eye off the ball.
07/03/09
Top CriticLacks dramatic punch and satirical bite — it’s all rather cartoonish — but it’s full of great characters and moves at an energetic pace. This is a superior buddy film.
07/03/09
Not as obviously delightful as Y tu mamá también, Rudo y Cursi is never less than enjoyable, helped by charismatic playing between two stars constantly calling each other "pendejo" and some gorgeous camera work from Adam Kimmel.
07/03/09
It’s a tale of two humble Mexican boys filmed with rough-around-the-edges production values and lots of energy, whose appeal will stretch to footie fans who wouldn’t normally park themselves in front of a subtitled film.
07/03/09
It scores high on clichés but makes up for it with lots of fizzing energy and lively turns. Indeed it's more screwball than football.
07/03/09
Cuarón’s spirited footie fable is a game of two halves, buzzing with balls, bimbos and black comedy, but ultimately unable to bring home the trophy. Bernal gets man of the match, no contest.
07/03/09
Rudo and Cursi has enough vitality to transcend its air of formula.
07/03/09
Latest News for Rudo and Cursi
June 28, 2009:
Edinburgh 2009: RT's 10 Must-See Movies
The Edinburgh Film Festival has come to a close and Rotten Tomatoes thought we'd make a traditional look back over all of the films playing at this year's fest and present to... More...
June 28, 2009:
Five Favourite Films with Diego Luna
Diego Luna is bristling at RT's suggestion he pick just five favourite films. "It's really unfair to have to say only five films," he complains as he picks his final choice.... More...
June 28, 2009:
Five Favourite Films with Gael Garcia Bernal
Gael Garcia Bernal may be Mexico's best known acting export of recent years, having made a powerful debut in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Amores perros in 2000. A year later he... More...
June 26, 2009:
RT Interview: Director Carlos Cuaron on Rudo and Cursi
Brother of Children Of Men helmer Alfonso Cuaron and Oscar-nominated screenwriter of sizzling Mexican roadtripper Y Tu Mama Tambien, Carlos Cuaron makes his directorial debut... More...
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