The Motorcycle Diaries (Full Screen Edition)

excellent film, great actors, beautiful cinematography, a classic. It makes you rethink what the word America means

The Motorcycle Diaries is an important film for everyone to watch. Despite being called socialist propaganda, I believe this film gets could help cure Americans' misunderstanding of Latin America.(Disclaimer: the points of view presented in the following paragraph are not necessarily mine, but rather an exploration into the ideology behind Latin American socialist movements. It is only meant to help critics of this film understand why Guevara is respected in Latin America, why most American presidents, with the exception of Jimmy Carter, are regarded as imperialists.)The movie, for one, explains the roots of socialist ideology in Latin America. It shows the true reasons why millions of students and peasants marched (and still march) in the streets of Latin American cities demanding social justice. While it is true that Guevara had a role in establishing the current Cuban regime, dismissing his ideological roots as "bloodthirsty" and "communist" only widens the political gap in the Western Hemisphere. For those who wonder why the Latin American youth still wears Che, Allende, SubComandante MArcos, and Lenin T-shirts, it is important to understand the circumstances in which Latin Americans grow up. The region remains dominated by corrupt, wealthy capitalists who steal from the poor. While Americans continue to believe that socialism is evil and authoritarian, and while many note that Guevara justified killing political enemies, it is also important to understand that Latin America has suffered under the influence of some American presidents, who, during the Cold WAr, supported authoritarian upper-class rule. Thirty thousand died, in secret, in Argentina's dirty war with the support of Secretary of State Kissinger. Hundreds of thousands died in wars in Central America, most of which resulted in elite military regimes supported by the United States. Thousands have died at the hands of paramilitaries in Colombia, who are given virtual amnesty by Bush's ally, President Uribe. Fidel Castro is a romantic and an infinitely abusive leader, but, to Latin America, he is nothiing like Che Guevara. Che symbolizes not communism in Cuba, but a vision of justice and Utopia in Latin America which has yet to be achieved.It is important for Americans who want to understand Latin America to watch this film. It will help those who have grown up in a rich, fair society to understand the anger behing Latin American socialism.

In January, 1952, 23 year-old Ernesto Guevera de la Serna, called "Fuser," with affection, along with good friend, Alberto Granado, began an eight month-long epic journey, (almost 5000 miles) - an adventure of a lifetime - which was to have a tremendous impact on both of their lives. Ernesto still had a semester to go before he would finish medical school with a specialization in leprosy. Granado was a biochemist, about to begin his career. The two rode the "The Mighty One," an old 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle, on its last legs. Beginning in Buenos Aires, they traveled west to Patagonia, then crossed the border into Chile and headed north, across the rugged Andes to Machu Picchu, Peru. After a stay with a doctor friend and mentor in Lima, they volunteered their services at the San Pablo Leper Colony in the Peruvian Amazon. Arriving in Caracas, Venezuela, in time for Alberto's 30th birthday, Ernesto and Alberto achieved their goal - under duress. "The Mighty One" gave out on them before they reached Valparaiso, Chile, with most of their trip ahead of them. Filled with idealism and dreams, they were not deterred. The two men used their feet and thumbs, to make their way across a continent."The Motorcycle Diaries" is much more than a historical travel film. It is a moving drama about the human spirit, rife with comedic moments, as Alberto and Fuser banter, argue, and provide each other with conversation and companionship on the road. Granado's attachment to his beloved motorcycle is hilarious, as is his highly developed art of bullsh*t. His charm and gift of gab come in extremely handy when money and transportation are needed. And his eye for women never fails. Ernesto, an extremely sensitive person, lacks this smooth-talking manner. Oddly enough, for one so perceptive, he is almost brutal in his honesty, often to his own detriment. Neither of the men had ever been outside their native Argentina before. They meet hundreds of people along the way, from all stations in life. But because of their lack of funds, they almost always share company, and whatever food and shelter are available, with the poor. Ernesto is especially moved and angered by the poverty and injustice he witnesses. This growing awareness of the vast differences in social and economic circumstances between the wealthy few, and the multitude who barely eke out an existence, all over Latin America, begins a process of transformation for Ernesto. And this transformation is the driving force behind the film. The tremendous transition from middle class professional to future revolutionary, begins on this journey.Gael García Bernal, as Ernesto Guevara, and Rodrigo De la Serna, as Alberto, (the real life cousin of Ché Guevara), give extraordinarily nuanced performances. The two actors are the film's very heart, soul and energy. De la Serna provides humor and warmth, an excellent contrast to Garcia Bernal's more serious, intense young Ernesto. The supporting cast also excels - from a pair of Chilean sisters, to the lepers at the San Pablo colony, a desperately poor couple looking for work at the Anaconda mines, and various others - the acting is superb!A variety of exquisite South American landscapes, in all kinds of weather, are beautifully portrayed. The shots of Machu Picchu and Cuzco are phenomenal. Living portraits, in black and white, of the people encountered along the way, are one of the movie's highlights. I am personally touched by "The Motorcycle Diaries." I lived in Central and South America for 15 years, and traveled many of the roads that Guevara and Grenado passed along, years before me - although, fortunately I had much better transportation. I worked for a non-governmental, non-profit relief organization. The poverty and hopelessness that were documented in the "Motorcycle Diaries," still exist today. Although modern technology has reached the cities, the beautiful scenery of the countryside is the same, as are the faces of the people, their songs, dances, native dress, languages and dialects. At the movie's conclusion, the final shot is of the now very old Alberto Grenado, the man who made this famous trip back in 1952.I am moved at how well Brazillian director Walter Salles captured the peoples of South America, their cultures and ambiance, and the content of the diaries. He has remained faithful to the literary sources - Alberto Grenado's book and the notebooks of Ernesto Guevara, which were not found until long after his death, and only published in 1993. When he wrote of his trip, he did so with the youthful idealism of a 23 year-old, not knowing his future role in history. It is this fresh, idealistic perspective, and the genuine expression of social consciousness, that makes the film so powerful. Although no political agenda is promoted here, the film does explain some of the passion behind the decisions that Ernesto Guevara made later in life.I say BRAVO to all who participated in making this movie and highly recommend it.JANA

I had to choose a movie to watch for Spanish class from a list of movies; this is the one I picked, mainly because it's based on a true story (but it also reminded me of my favorite book, On The Road by Jack Kerouac). To tell the truth, I wasn't really looking forward to watching it (because of the subtitles), but after 5 minutes both myself and my 15 year old daughter were hooked. The movie was beautifully shot and the story line was easy to follow, even without the subtitles. It was inspiring and sad at the same time to watch the story unfold. Following Che's story from how he started out as an innocent, naive medical student through all the different interactions he had with the people along their travels, and how his outlook on life changed because of them, was beautiful and heart-wrenching. Even if you're not interested in other cultures or politics, this is a heart-warming and heartbreaking true story at the same time. My daughter and I loved it so much I ended up buying it! Obviously, I HIGHLY recommend this movie; you won't be disappointed.