To be honest I know little about Che Guevara. And after watching this film, I still know little about Che Guevara.
The picture is based on Guevara’s diaries as he (Gael Garcia Bernal, BAD EDUCATION) and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De la Serna) traveled South America first on an old motorcycle and then on foot. This trip is created as inspiring Guevara’s revolutionary ideas.
The film is subtle about its message and that is its major detriment. The beginning two-thirds is a simple road picture where two young men travel, encounter hardships with their bike and finding food and seek out women. Then the film throws in the indigenous people who are being exploited. However, the film doesn’t have any contrast to make cultural, economic and racial disparities seem relevant to the characters.
Throughout the film I kept thinking of Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, which told a similar story, but more effectively. With that said, I still liked the film. Bernal and De la Serna give great performances. Bernal is one of the best actors working today. The cinematography is exquisite.
Then once the “message” kicks in, the film takes on great poignancy, which I wished had been weaved throughout the film. The last third of the film set at the leper colony is magnificent. Yet, what I do know of Guevara is that he wasn’t perfect, but this film almost paints him out as Christ-like. The character seems to lack the outrage that would lead someone to travel to multiple countries and lead revolutions.
The film works on the level that it was intended to work, however, it could have been better balanced. In the end, the film is still captivating, beautiful and often funny. The end is well worth watching the rest of the film for. There is a planned Che biopic coming, which I look forward to. This film should whet your appetite for more on this iconic figure.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
