Rudo y Cursi
Rudo y Cursi is the latest rags to riches story to hit cinema screens this year, starring Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal.
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 football style, Beto dreams of becoming a professional soccer player; Tato’s dream is to be a famous singer, and both share the dream of building a house for their mother, Elvira (Dolores Heredia).
They have a change in luck when 'Batuta,' a soccer talent scout, discovers them accidentally. Tato is the first to move to the big city where he becomes the star goal scorer for the prestigious Deportivo Amaranto (Amaranto Club).
Although Beto feels he has been betrayed and left behind, he soon travels to Mexico City to become the goalkeeper for Atlético Nopaleros (Nopaleros Team). At the peak of glory, they forget all animosity, although it does not last long.
Of course 2009 has been the year of the rags to riches movie with the success of Slumdog Millionaire taking eight Oscars, including Best Picture earlier this year. So lets take a look at some of the best rags to riches movies.
Slumdog Millionaire
And of course you can't look at this genre of movie without looking at Slumdog Millionaire. It's hard to believe that this movie was on the verge of going straight to DVD if it had many of us would have missed out on this rags to riches tale that makes stars of it's cast and once again puts Danny Boyle on the international stage.
The hype around this movie is wholly justified Slumdog Millionaire is one of those movies that you just get caught up in as we follow Jamal's difficult journey as he falls in love, fights to stay alive and faces the chance to leave all his difficulties behind him.
Boyle isn't afraid to dig into India's underbelly highlighting exploitation, corruption and the difficulties to survive and he contrasts this beautifully with the colours and the life that bursts out of the slums.
Here is a movie that is both harrowing and touching whilst bring India to life, an absolute must see.
The Pursuit of Happiness
In The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet.
Despite his valiant attempts to help keep the family afloat, the mother (Thandie Newton) of his five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Christopher Smith) is buckling under the constant strain of financial pressure.
No longer able to cope, she reluctantly decides to leave. Chris, now a single father, continues doggedly to pursue a better-paying job using every sales skill he knows. He lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, and although there is no salary, he accepts, hopeful he will end the program with a job and a promising future.
What is so incredible about this story is the fact that it is based on truth and Smith delivered a very powerful and poignant performance as Gardener who's desperately trying to provide for his family.
While Smith was box office gold he cemented himself as a real acting heavyweight and not just a funnyman as he received a second Oscar nomination.
Aladdin
Released back in 1992 Aladdin was the thirty first animation movie from Disney and was based on One Thousand and One Nights.
Aladdin was one of the last traditionally animated produced by Disney, before merging with Pixar to work with CGI, and it remains one of the best with a great comic voice turn from Robin Williams.
Aladdin looks longingly at the Sultan's luxurious castle, and dreams of living inside, but Princess Jasmine wants only to escape that pampered life.
Finally, she does run away, only to discover how hard life on the streets can be -- especially when a vendor accuses you of thievery. Aladdin comes to her rescue, and soon the two have fallen in love.
But how can a beggar marry the sultan's daughter? His only hope lies in a magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders and a wisecracking genie who can grant wishes, and it's not long before Aladdin is enjoying the high life.
Pretty Woman
The role of Vivian shot Julia Roberts to superstardom practically overnight in romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
This movie is a common fable about looking beneath the surface of every individual and judging them on first appearances. The movie was a massive hit when it was released back in 1990, yes it was almost twenty years ago, and remains one of the most financially successful movies in the romantic comedy genre.
And while the story was possibly a little far fetched; businessman hires heart of gold prostitute Vivian for the weekend falling in love with her along the way allowing her to leave her difficult life behind.
Other great rags to riches movies include Forrest Gump, My Fair Lady and music biopic Ray.
Rudo y Cursi is released 26th June.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Slumdog Millionaire