Through numerous books, photos, magazine articles, T-shirts, various other paraphernalia, one can see the face of ‘Che’ Guevara. His name is synonymous with violent revolution, given against the backdrop of an era just as turbulent–the 1960s. People, when his name is mentioned, visualize a bearded, long-haired, beret wearing mug, or else see him holding some large weapon in his hand.
“”The Motorcycle Diaries”” (“”Diarios de motocicleta””), from director Walter Salles, does not depict this person; rather it shows Ernesto Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal) as a 23 year old medical student in his native Argentina in 1952. At this point, he was a (relatively) clean cut, asthmatic young man who enjoyed rugby, and looked forward to traveling with his biochemist friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna). Early on in the film, the future revolutionary, nicknamed ‘El Fuser’ at this point, prepares to take time off from his studies–much to his family’s chagrin–to take a summertime trip up through South America with Granado, finishing in time for the latter’s 30th birthday.The trip starts out in Argentinean, with the two riding on their 1939 Norton 500 (a bike which they call “”the Mighty One””), riding past their native country’s plains and its farmers. They stop first at a fine estate in Miramar, where Guevara becomes re-acquainted with Chichina Ferreyra (Mia Maestro)–apparently their relationship is beginning to become strained, and so he has her promise to wait for him. After being at this fancy locale longer than expected, Granado gets antsy, and so the two friends continue their journey, with Ernesto receiving fifteen American dollars from Chichina (for a bathing suit for her, in case they get to the U.S.)–this last bit becoming a point of contention between the travelers.As they venture northward, they take a number of spills on their motorcycle, and try to finagle their way into people’s homes by claiming that they are great doctors (!). This ruse works, in a big way, in the town of Temuco, Chile, where the local paper–the Austral–announces that a pair of physicians, as in the two leads, are passing through. The local mechanic fixes their damaged hog for free, but things change for the worse when Guevara hits on the guy’s wife at the City Hall dance, and so the Argentineans are back on the road. Although the trip has its fun moments–such as when the pair get some Chilean girls to buy them wine and empanadas–there are more serious moments, as when Ernesto uses his medical abilities to help a dying woman. The real turning point in the film, and in a historical aspect as well, is when Guevara and Granado meet a Chilean couple in the desert. The latter’s experiences, first being forced out by land speculators and being chastised for their political beliefs (both are communists), and now searching for the mine at Chuquicamata, run by the Anaconda Mining Company.The group does reach the mines, and after the husband is picked for work by the foreman, Ernesto throws a rock at the truck in protest. At this point in the trip, the future symbol of Marxist rebellion becomes more politicized, choosing to talk to the indigenous peoples that he and Alberto encounter, and hearing their stories. These tales range from the present struggles of trying to get by economically, to focusing on what the Spanish conquistadors did to the Incas centuries earlier (a point realized when Guevara visits the ruins of Machu Picchu–which is then contrasted after by then-present day Lima, Peru).[pagebreak]The trip culminates with the traveling buddies helping out at a leper colony in San Pablo, Peru. After visiting Dr. Pesce (Gustavo Bueno), a local director of leprosy treatment programs, and supporter of leftist ideals, Ernesto and Alberto travel by boat to San Pablo. Once there, young Guevara is struck by the divisions in place, with the healthy–staff, including head Dr. Bresciani (Jorge Chirella), on one side of the wide river, and the patients living on the other bank.If nothing else–and how one feels about ‘Che’ and his place in history may affect the viewing of this movie–“”The Motorcycle Diaries”” provides a glimpse at the diversity of South America. This ranges from the wealthier south (Argentina) to the more impoverished areas of the north (Peru, Chile)–this falls along ethnic lines as well, with predominantly white sections in Argentina, and more indigenous populations in the northern countries. The leads also face geographic diversity, from the plains in their home country, to the Andes Mountains (they drive on snow covered roads–in summer!), to the arid landscape of the Atacama Desert (where they meet the couple headed for the mine), and the jungles near San Pablo; the movie was filmed in all these locales, rather than some set or place filling in (i.e. Canada:).In addition to the filming–it helps that there are plenty of nice landscapes here–the other strong point is the two stars, as Bernal and de la Serna make a team that ranges from humorous (such as when their bike keeps taking spills, or the gambling bit on the boat) to more serious moments, such as when Ernesto receives a litter in Valparaiso, or when he discusses his budding ideology, stressing the need for ‘armed’ struggle. Bernal does well as the compassionate med students with an increasing number of ideas, and de la Serna as the womanizing, the sometimes bickering but ultimately loyal friend to ‘El Fuser’..and later to ‘Che’ as well. Actually, one of the more interesting moments, in hindsight anyway, is how in Chile both Guevara and Granado are referred to as ‘Che’, as that is the slang term for Argentineans there (as Argentineans always seem to be saying ‘che’).Still, although the flick gives a hint as to the Guevara’s future, and his focus on the plight of indigenous people, and on South American unity, it doesn’t indicate his ultimate leanings toward radicalism, sometimes through violence (with which he’s often associated). It’s true that he speaks in favor of armed struggle in the movie, and there are moments where he’s quick to act, such as throwing a rock at the Anaconda Mining truck, or something he does late in the film. Still, he’s presented here as a regular upper middle-class med student, albeit a very idealistic one, and it would have been interesting to see how he decided to finally take up the mantle of armed revolution, in Cuba, Africa, and elsewhere.””The Motorcycle Diaries”” provides a ride that is sometimes fun, and gains many points for it’s look at the diverse people and places of the continent to our south. There is a feeling of authenticity here, of things being as they are, rather than contrived (sets, actors, and all)–and it certainly saves one a trip to South America too. From a historical standpoint, the film may not provide all the answers, but it does give a place to start.If nothing else, the movie, may even make one want to take their own journey–given the ability to take a long sabbatical.Grade: B+EM Reviewby Andrew Haas10/01/04