The Motorcycle Diaries

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I saw THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES finally. This is a terrific road movie, I'd go so far as to say it is sublime. One gets the impression the moviemakers really strove for accuracy - in depicting the memoirs of Ernesto Guevara as well as the record left behind by his road buddy Alberto Granado.

The choice to adapt this awesome road trip during the soon-to-be revolutionary's budding youth is excellent. I feel that the resulting spell over the viewer ends up being more powerful than if they had chosen to film Che's revolutionary days.

The way every little episode shows Guevara's honesty and directness is thoroughly revealing; not to mention his occasional happenstance meetings with various homeless migrant workers, all experiences which open his eyes bit by bit to the injustices seperating the poor from the rich, the sick from the healthy.

Gael Garcia Bernal's performance as the thoughtful young Ernesto is not so much "riveting" as it is merely direct and, well, thoughtful. The viewer can infer that in studying for this role, Gael decided to imbue the young Guevara with not so much a "fire" to reflect any future revolutionary status, but rather -- he decided to portray Ernesto's fundamental humanity via his honesty; something I felt managed to work miracles towards sculpting the personality behind such a legendary counter cultural hero. To have approached the portrayal of such an icon as Che in any other manner would have most certainly been counter productive in contrast to what Gael delivers onscreen: the simple, straightforward behaviour of not an idealistic young man, but rather a straightforwardly honest one.

As such, THE MOTORCYLCE DIARIES packs a more emotional whallop insofar as getting the audience thinking about what truly drives the revolutionary mindset. It is an important film that provides a window into the formative experiences that would later beget a legendary force for revolution. As such, it is mandatory viewing for anyone who gives a good god damn about such matters.

I should make it clear that one of the film's many strong points is that it offers audiences who could care less about Che Guevara plenty to enjoy. It is essentially a humanistic film with excellent performances and an easygoing stride -- which in my mind makes it a sure shot for all viewers (not just those interested in Che Guevara). What I'm trying to say is, the viewer who has never even heard of Ernesto "Che" Guevara would still walk away with a smile haunting their face.

I really think this is must see movie making, for all audiences, right here.