Review of The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) by Joe B — 04 Sep 2008

I enoyed this movie and I probably would have loved it even more if it had not profiled a man that would turn into one of the most infamous terrorists in world history. This beautifully shot movie chronicles the travels of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his lesser known friend Alberto Granado.

The film is based off the autobiographical tale by Guevara. The two friends travel across South America to see the continent they've never travelled. The movie gets repetetive at points and drags before the third act.

The film isn't extraordinary and it would have been better if it had been a fictional tale of two ordinary people. But since Guevara is the focus the story is kind of limited. The film seems to promote Guevara as some kind, gentle, and almost Jesus-like character.

The makers don't shy away from the poverty that turned Guevara into a revolutionary in the 1950s. He seemed way too innocent and his transformation wasn't that drastic. It seems that the film makers want to show that he changes, but don't want to show the vicious side of him.

The film makes no mention of how this once well intentioned young man turned into a murderous guerilla in Cuba, the Congo, and Bolivia. Yes, he was a revolutionary, but he also helped install one of the most brutal regimes the world has ever seen: Cuba.

I think that's the problem with the legacy of Che. So many young people think of him as a man who fought corruption, but was responsible for the deaths of thousands. Kids wear the t-shirts, but don't truly know what the man on the shirt did.

The best part of the movie is the third act in which Guevara and Granado volunteer in a Leper Colony in Peru; the whole purpose of their great journey. Although the dialogue isn't spectacular, the acting is superb and the film is beautifully shot.

I recommend this, but only after you've done proper research of Guevara.