Retro Film Review: The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta, 2004)
No Communist icon has filled so many capitalist coffers as Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The youthful look of that Latin American revolutionary leader, forever preserved by his martyrdom, as well as the total irrelevance of his questionable ideas and revolutionary methods in the post-Cold War world, turned him into the most convenient icon for rebellious youths in developed Western countries. His face is ubiquitous thanks mostly to the T-shirts made in Third World sweatshops by multinational corporations – the very embodiment of evil Che Guevara tried to fight. There are, however, better ways to pay homage to this great and controversial historical icon, and one of them is The Motorcycle Diaries, a 2004 biographical drama directed by Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles.
The film delves into the events that preceded Che's revolutionary career. It begins in 1952 Buenos Aires where Ernesto "Fuser" Guevara (played by Gael Garcia Bernal), a 23-year-old medical student a semester short of graduation, decides to spend a few months travelling across South America with his best friend, 29-year-old biochemist Alberto Granado (played by Rodrigo de la Serna). They start with an old motorcycle they would have to ditch and continue on foot. Their journey takes them through Argentina, Chile, and ultimately Peru. Along the way, they encounter various adventures, but young Guevara becomes less thrilled with the escapade and more affected by the poverty, injustice, and oppression he witnesses in different countries. Eventually, they volunteer as physicians in a leper colony where Guevara's idealism and political beliefs begin to take shape.
Some critics have accused The Motorcycle Diaries of glorifying a historical character with a questionable reputation that includes the brutal elimination of political enemies and advocating violence as a justifiable tool for social change. More importantly, they argue that it sets a bad example for his gullible supporters whose futile revolutionary attempts only exacerbated oppression and injustice. However, this criticism is unfounded. The Motorcycle Diaries, based on Che’s own diaries, does not glorify Che or endorse his politics; instead, it simply explores what shaped Che into a revolutionary. The film portrays Che not as a superhero but as a normal human being who views his journey as an opportunity to explore new lands, meet people, live without job or parental authorities, and engage in carefree activities typical of young people.
Walter Salles, Brazilian film maker known for establishing his road film credentials with Central Station, presents this formative journey in a fascinating light. The film is filmed on authentic locations beautifully captured by Eric Gautier's cinematography. Local people are used as extras and actors in minor roles, enhancing the film's authenticity. However, one of the two actors portraying the protagonists in this saga proves to be a somewhat questionable choice. Rodrigo de la Serna, an Argentine actor and real-life relative of Che, effectively portrays the older and seemingly wiser character who struggles to comprehend Che's newfound idealism while injecting humour into many charming vignettes. On the other hand, Mexican superstar Gael Garcia Bernal, who has already played Che in television miniseries Fidel two years earlier, seems to have been chosen for his role more for his popularity among cinema audiences than for his acting ability – popularity intended to match Che's charisma. Bernal puts in effort but lacks physical resemblance to Che and at times appears overly solemn and serious in trying to embody such a formidable icon of history.
Despite this minor flaw, for most viewers regardless of their political beliefs, The Motorcycle Diaries is a journey worth taking.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)
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