Review of The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) by Matthew S — 22 Nov 2009

Many ?buddy road-trip? movies are filled to the brim with gross-out humour and raunchy sexual escapades. While our two heroes seem intent on fulfilling that dream, the film turns into something far different, with Ernesto slowly morphing into the revolutionary he was born to be. Some might find the movie slow and uninteresting on the surface, but if you look beyond the simple escapades and into the characters, you can see just how both of them are growing up from childish college students into mature adults. The countryside of South America is lush and spectacular, and provides something to hold interest while the characters drive or walk on in silence. Some great lines convey a sense of wonder from the characters, such as ?How is it possible to feel nostalgia for a world I never knew?? Through his travels, Ernesto begins to feel pity for the downtrodden natives of the country, and this is what really gives him the emotional connection that is needed to make the film come to life. Overall, it's a great look at a profound figure.

OVERALL: 8.0/10.