All that needs to be said about this movie is that it's awesome and easily one of the best movies of last year.

Starring: Ernesto Guevera (Gael Garcia Bernal)
Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna)

Directed by: Walter Salles (Central Station)

This movie is based off of the journals of Alberto Granado and Ernesto "Che" Guevara, during their South American journey. They have little money, a 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle and 8000 meters to do in 5 months. Journeying through Chile, then Peru, Columbia and ending up in Venezuela. Both set out to see the America in which they live and both become changed forever by the experience, especially Ernesto. By the end I felt like I had been on the same trip with them. The acting sucks you in, the cinematography sucks you in and the language written by Ernesto in the monologues is poetry. Actually filmed on location instead of a blue screen.

This movie shows us how and what turned Ernesto Guevara into the man the world knows Che. The migrant farmers being hunted by their local police for being communist. They are forced to leave their child behind and look for work at a mine, known for hazardous conditions. How most of the the indigineous population if not all is poor and overlooked, or how the lack of medicine and skill leaves Guevara powerless to save an older woman.

With all the dark and serious scenes comes light scenes as well and De la Serna does an excellent job as Alberto Granado. The best thing about this movie is NO HOLLYWOOD!!! and by that I mean the film sticks to the story. It gives a piece of 2 peoples lives without turning them into some bullshit. Rent or buy this movie as soon as you can, either way I don't think you will be disappointed. If you are... tough shit.

el Commandante
June 16th, 2005