Overview
Two brothers chase their dreams on the soccer field, but their passions lead them astray.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- earthy
- warm
- casual movie night
- sports movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an auspicious directing debut with strong performances from Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, despite familiar sports-movie conventions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Beto and Tato rise from banana plantation labor to professional football while remaining vulnerable to debt, family pressures, and poor decisions.
The brothers compete over football, romance, money, and personal ambition while repeatedly relying on one another.
Professional football brings visibility and money, but Beto's gambling and Tato's romantic and musical obsessions threaten their careers.
The story moves the brothers from a banana plantation and extended family household into Mexico City's professional football world.
Films like Rudo & Cursi, and why
The Longest Yard
shared sports comedy, working-class characters, family conflict, and bittersweet ambition
The Fighter
shared sibling rivalry, working-class struggle, comic setbacks, and emotional warmth
The Cup
shared football culture, social mobility, underdog aspiration, and comedic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Carlos Cuarón
- Release Date
- 2008-12-19
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (240)
Cast
- Gael García Bernal
- Diego Luna
- Guillermo Francella
- Dolores Heredia
- Adriana Paz
- Jessica Mas
- Salvador Zerboni
- Tania Esmeralda Aguilar
- Joaquín Cosío
- Alfredo Alfonso
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rudo & Cursi about?
- Two gifted half-brothers leave a struggling banana plantation for Mexican professional football, only to find that gambling, romance, music, and rivalry can undo their shared dream.
- What is Rudo & Cursi like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rudo & Cursi as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Rudo & Cursi violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Rudo & Cursi as mild.
- What did critics think of Rudo & Cursi?
- Critics generally found the film an auspicious directing debut with strong performances from Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, despite familiar sports-movie conventions.
- Which films are like Rudo & Cursi?
- Films with a similar feel include The Longest Yard, The Fighter, and The Cup.
- How long is Rudo & Cursi?
- Rudo & Cursi runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rudo & Cursi?
- In United States, Rudo & Cursi is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
