Rudo y Cursi

When you're watching a film by a Mexican director with the surname of Cuarón you’ll generally be entertained, but at the same time you might want to watch something a little more cheery afterwards to lighten your mood. No such problems with Rudo y Cursi, as though this is a film by a Cuarón, it’s actually Alfonso’s younger brother Carlos, who writes and directs this little gem. Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna star as brothers from a small Mexican village who are discovered by a morally ambiguous football agent (played by Guillermo Francella) and leave to pursue their dreams of top flight footy in Mexico’s top division. This is a classic rags to riches fairytale, but as it’s knowingly played out as such, any outrageous co-incidences in the screenplay are easily forgotten. The screenplay itself is the perfect balance of drama and humour, as we see the juxtaposition between the brothers increasing fame and wealth, and the personal relationships between themselves and their families. Luna and Bernal are perfectly cast as the brothers, and it's the latter’s portrayal as a fey footballer in the macho world of Mexican football that provides many of the laughs. Though the three main protagonists all have character defects, the strength of the bond (though at times flimsy) between them means we can't help but root for them all the way through to the mildly shocking non-Hollywood conclusion. This is Cuarón first feature length film and it's a very promising start.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
At times contrived, and the message from Cuarón isn't subtle, but the way it's told is a delight. Rating: 8/10.