Review of The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) by Neeraj S — 23 Jan 2010

The film is directed by Walter Salles who has made some very fine films. I have been trying to watch all of them. He is known for the famous film Central Station. This film is based on the journals of Che Guevara, leader of the Cuban Revolution.

In his memoirs, Guevara recounts adventures he, & best friend Alberto Granado, had while crossing South America by motorcycle in the early 1950s. Prior to viewing (& during the film) I would have had no idea that such a strong young intellectual doctor would become Guevera of the Rebellions.

The film wisely avoids politics but gives us a road trip movie (based on both of their journals) as they travel thru the rural areas of Argentina Chile Bolivia Peru Ecuador. Cinematically it is such a beautiful film & made me want to take an extended trip to see those areas.

Salles tells the tale in a relatively straightforward, unadorned fashion giving us great vistas of the areas they travel. Che went on to become 20th century's most romanticized revolutionary and this film covers they ground where he developed his â??social conscienceâ?? .

There are so many very beautiful places and interesting things that happen during their 8 month journey. The film attempts to re-create what Guevara & Granado saw & experienced, & thereby to provide an honest account for how the journey expanded their intellect & emotions.

Salles uses the beauty of the countryside as a counterpoint to the ugliness of human conditions. In making the film, Salles took his cast & crew along the exact route described by Guevara & Granado in their accounts.

With its beautiful on-location filming it functions almost as effectively as a travelogue & the tale of their travel It is not a sober tale there are many playful & joyful moments. "Wandering around our America has changed me more than I thought.

I am not me any more. At least I'm not the same me I was." Guevara at film's end. The film is closed with an appearance by Alberto Granado now 82 years old. They also show photos from the actual journey & note that Che Guevara was assassinated in 1967 with the help of the US CIA (somewhere in the jungles of Bolivia) I liked this film a lot but it does not delve enought into the true basis of the two guys relationship.

Both the lead actors were great in their roles.