Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Excellent Mexican fantasy with some disturbing violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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Where to Watch
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Zurdo
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Zurdo (Spanish for "Lefty") (Alex Perea) is a tween boy living in Buenaventura; he is the town's marbles champion and has never lost a match. When a mysterious stranger visits the local bar and tells of "the Wizard," the marbles champion in his hometown, the citizens of Buenaventura bet their money that Zurdo can defeat the Wizard. Zurdo is inadvertently thrust into a corrupt adult world of crooked cops, greedy townspeople, and vicious gang members, all of whom are trying to use Zurdo for their own wicked ends. The pressure placed on him is enormous, and Zurdo must find a way to win on his own terms -- not only in the planned epic marbles game but also in life.
Is It Any Good?
ZURDO is a wonderful movie that skillfully evokes the best elements of Latin American folklore and literature. And yet, for all its stylized filmmaking and action sequences, Zurdo is about a tween boy trying to do the right thing in an adult world that doesn't always have the best intentions. Also, this movie manages to make marble-playing seem interesting -- no easy feat in an era of gaming culture, IMAX 3-D, and, well, digital everything.
The violence, including a near-rape scene and some bloodshed in the movie's climactic scene, makes this film best for teens and older. This unforgettable movie also can inspire discussion about Latin American storytelling traditions and how they play into this story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about magical realism. What is magical realism, and what elements of it do you see in this movie?
How are elements of Mexican folklore applied in this movie? How would this movie be different if it was, say, an American movie about a suburban American tween boy who was the neighborhood marbles champion?
What is the difference in the effect of violence that is shown and violence that is implied? How are the two types used in this movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 27, 2003
- On DVD or streaming : July 12, 2005
- Cast : Alejandro Camacho , Arcelia Ramirez , Alex Perea
- Director : Carlos Salces
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Image Entertainment
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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