Beto and Tato, who are half-brothers and have the nicknames Rudo (rough) and Cursi (corny) work on a banana plantation and play soccer in their free time. When Batuta, a soccer scout, happens to see them play, he tells the brothers that he can represent one of them. He tells Tato, the striker, to take a penalty kick on his brother, the goalie, and the winner will go with him.
Beto tells his brother to take the kick to the right, and he does, but Tato goes to his right and curses his brother for ruining his chances. Beto has always wanted to play professional soccer, but Tato wants to be a singer. Both brothers eventually make it to play professionally in Mexico City. When Beto leaves he doesn't tell his wife, but does take the family savings. When he calls his wife she is very angry.
Batuta brings Beto to a cock fight and Beto starts to gamble. Meanwhile Tato starts to play well and is nicknamed Cursi in the press. Beto's team is moved up to the first division and because of Batuta's influence he is named a starter. Batuta also got a singing and video deal for Tato. Things are looking up for the brothers.
After a first half that is mostly serious, the second half takes on a more comedic tone. No one really wants to see Beto sing except his girlfriend. Beto's wife comes up and moves with him and they both start selling her Wonderlife Health products.
The film takes on a darker tone when Beta starts adding cocaine to his gambling. When Beto loses all the stuff in the house because of his gambling, the two brother fight and talk about the shortcomings of the other's father.
In the midst of a wrestling match Tato tells Beta he is jealous :
"Of me, because I play better than you and I got a high-class broad"
Beta :" High class? They call her 'pajamas' because everyone wears her to bed!"
Before you know it gangsters are coming up to Beta to settle his tsunami size debt. He's got fifteen days to pay or he's in big trouble. But in soccer Beta hasn't let in a goal and Tato hasn't scored one in a while. Tato is in danger of being sent down to the second division and he is losing his celebrity fiance to another player.
Meanwhile Batuta steps in to 'help" Beta with his problems. If Beta, the goalie, throws the game, he can get even again. Beta agrees to throw the game.
Two brothers, head at head, both struggling to deal with the accompaniments of fame. "The brothers' duel has captivated the entire country." Cursi is miserable about losing his girfriend and is in a major slump. Beta is so desperate because of his gambling debts that he is willing to give up his scoreless streak and throw the game.
I liked the circular ending of the movie. When Tato again aims for the wrong "right", both the brothers' lives come crashing down. But, ultimately, by losing their celebrity lives they may have gained more. A really good movie.
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