 MOTORCYCLE DIARIESMPAA Rating:
 for languageReviewed by: Chris Monroe Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Drama, Historical
Length:
2 hr. 8 min.
Year of Release:
2004
USA Release:
______
   “Let the world change you… and you can change the world” While a motorcycle is a vehicle that survives through only half this story, the portrayal of the mid-twentieth century Latin American revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara as a blissful ideal is one that continues through to the very end. This slice of life drama displays a host of his experiences that purportedly solidified his convictions, avoiding any exhibition of his actual political exploits, and only briefly mentioning how his life ends. It’s early 1950's Argentina when a med student, Ernesto (Gael Garcia Bernal) and his scientist friend, Alberto (Rodrigo De la Serna), set out on motorcycle to travel 10,000 miles around the South American continent before Alberto turns thirty and Ernesto finishes medical school. Intending to broaden their horizons, their journey consists of fun and adventure, but also a series of meetings with doctors and hospital patients and a host of struggling individuals who make up the specific countries. But more than plot, this story reveals the character of these two young men, emphasizing the opening narration by Ernesto that “This isn’t a story of heroic feats, but about two lives that ran parallel for a while.” A couple of things to note: First of all, there is a fair amount of foul language used throughout this story. Too, there are several discussions involving talk of sex, and some situations that imply sexual relations (although none of it is shown). There is one involved moment where it seems two characters may have sex, but they refrain. Still, sex is referred to a lot, as it is one of Alberto’s goals for this trip. This film is not driven by plot; it is clearly a character piece. The story is not about one big event, but is a accumulation of many different, small events where little choices and nuances are highlighted to reveal character. The character most obviously being highlighted here is Ernesto (“Che”), but they more aptly define him by contrasting him with his amigo Alberto. Throughout this story we see a saintly Ernesto as he tells the truth, does the right thing - even when it’s difficult - sacrifices, cares for people, experiences heartache, and even suffers with his own illness. Alberto, on the other hand, is more interested in money, having a good time, getting people to like him - even if he has to lie - and using people. They still seem to present Alberto as a good guy, but Ernesto is undoubtedly the better guy. In one scene, Ernesto and Alberto are asked to read a book by a doctor whom they’re visiting. They follow through with it, and are questioned by the doctor about it before they leave for their next town. Alberto immediately lays on thick compliments about the book, even though it seems it is difficult for him to give his opinion. Ernesto, however, pauses, and then tells this doctor - who has been so nice as to house and feed these two men - that he doesn’t like the book. Ernesto tells their doctor friend plainly that his book isn’t good. Humbly, however, the doctor thanks him. Two proverbs that come to mind in light of this are Proverbs 27:5 which says, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed,” and Proverbs 27:6 saying, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” Although it wasn’t easy, Ernesto still does the right thing by being honest. There are many other noble things this film portrays about Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and while they are exemplary deeds, it felt like there is some political motivation behind it. Nevertheless, the film is very well made, entertaining and hosts many picturesque scenes of these Latin countries, especially with the black and white static shots of people. Violence: Minor / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Mild   Positive - Director Walter Salles has proven himself better than any
American director when it comes to making road movies. He doesn’t water
them down the way Barry Levinson does in “Rain Man.” One of the best
films in recent times was Salles” Brazilian masterpiece, “Central Station"
about a woman con artist who goes on the road in attempt to save a young
boy from an unspeakable horror. In the process she saves not only the
boy, but herself. Neutral - This subtitled movie was quite adventurous. It’s a good story about 2 guys on a motorcycle adventure in South America. There are parts where the travelers fool the locals with made-up stories in order to get food, drinks, etc. However, the strong focus was about taking notice on the country’s poverty. It gives a good message on embracing those who have nothing. Che and his friend work as a doctor helping lepers in the village, and Che grew a close attachment with them. It was the best part of the movie. Overall, there were scenes of temptations, lust, etc, but
most of it was hidden. I would recommend it if you like films based on a true story. Negative - Che Guevara was for a long time a kind of an “icon” of the
Communist movement, full of idealism. The Communist movement has to have
always this type of “saint” to be able to recruit. By your description of
the film it seems that the producers are trying to re-launch Che in that
light as a person extremely upright and sincere. These are the basic
elements that would make him such a hero, without having to mention
directly any political issue or idea. [I have not viewed this film.] Positive - As a university student I found this film to be rejuvenating. I
have read Che’s Bolivian Diaries and watching the young idealist that Che
embodies in this movie filled me with sadness in knowing how this man’s
life plays out. Perhaps being in a similar situation, with the status of
current events I think a lot of students can empathize with Che and all
that he sees in the movie. My point is that in the movie Che channels his
energies into something constructive and the obvious love and pity that he
has for his poor countrymen is very Christ like. I think its important for
us to realize what a difficult life Che lived, and we must admire him for
the courageous stance he took for injustice, and the context from which he
was coming from. To me, Che is an inspiring figure, because he did not
apathetically lie and what for the injustices of the world to overpower
him, but rather he took stand against injustice, and while he was a
communist, there are much worse things in this world then communists. My
economics teacher always refers to Jesus as the first communist, so let’s not freak out because Che was one. Negative - “Che” was truly an evil man - a murderer, a sociopath, and a
psycopath. Anyone who actually reads what he wrote would know that. “Man’s
highest aspiration in life is to be a cog in the wheel of the production
of consumer goods.” Positive - A compelling look into the economic hardships faced in South
America and two compassionate men who are changed by what they see on
their travels. Negative - I can’t see how any one could enjoy this movie, unless they are ignorant of who Che really was. He was a Communist, who who was a brutal killer and executioner. Che and his political philosophy, is responsible
for the deaths of over 100 million innocent people. I don’t see how any Christian could watch this movie that portrays him in a good light, and enjoy it. Though the scale of the killing is not the same, this would be no different than doing a movie about Stalin, Lenin, or Hitler, and making it all positive. Positive - A previous reviewer made the point perfectly--the label of
'communism' should have nothing to do with a honest persons critique of
the life of another man or woman. Jesus speaks no more of communism than
he does of democracy! Besides, this is a review of the movie Motorcycle
Diaries, not what you may think of Cuba. The movie was beautiful and
showed a man whose life was guided not by selfish pursuits but entirely by
concern for his fellow man. There are few of us reading this Web site who
could lay such a claim. Che gave his life helping those he saw as the
most oppressed, the poorest and sickest. There are few of the world’s
truly poor ordering movies on Netflix…and I doubt they care about the
political dogma of anyone willing to help them.. which should sound
familiar to all readers herein. Neutral - I thought the movie was good, but a tad slow moving. The scenery
is beautiful. Content wise, it was somewhat offensive but not terrible.
What I found more offensive was the portrayal of Che. Yes, he had some
good ideas, but anyone who studies ALL of his writings will see that Cuba
has turned out pretty close to how he would have wanted it to. Negative - This is another film promoting a popular icon — it paints him as
being sensitized to the poor around him, as he was from a very wealthy
family, and did not have a “hard life.” However, I don’t buy into the
sensitive portrayal of him- I have an issue with the subtle (and sometimes
overt)portrayals of agenda setting historical narratives within cinema,
especially of historical characters that we should not edify. Positive - The reason I like this film is not because of its political
portrayal of Che Guevara. I do find what he did in his later years in
Cuba (as well as other countries to a smaller extent) to be utterly
morally corrupt. I hold him responsible for what he did to innocent human
beings. I don’t think communism was the force driving his evil actions.
I don’t even think communism is even that bad of an idea. But all of
those debatable personal opinions aside all I wish to say about moral
judgment of Che Guevara, is that all human beings have some admirable
qualities. |
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