Customer Reviews:
Grandiose promises badly delivered .......2008-02-22
This movie over-promises, it has a bit of everything but does not fully communicate eventually. Was it about beautiful south-american landscape?? Better watching a proper full-length documentary on Chile or Peru instead. An extremely hollow or light description of the idol of generations - Ernesto. Again, a well done historic documentary would make justice of him - and many do.
Flat movie, not engaging.
Disappointing.
Motorcycle Dairies.......2008-01-30
A brilliant film and soundtrack, I was totally engrossed in the film after reading the book I didn't mind the sub titles they made you concentrate more on the story also excellent filming.
yes but .........2007-12-02
This is a great film. You don't feel at the end that it could have been better if half an hour more of it had ended up on the cutting room floor. Good acting, good filming and a story that keeps you interested whether or not you are a che guevara fan. But... subtitles just don't do anything for me. Half the time they are talking so fast you don't get a chance to finish reading the words before they change. Having to read the dialogue yourself almost makes you wish you'd read the book instead; it distracts so much from what would be a magnificent film that I dropped the rating to three stars.
a feast for the eye and the mind.......2007-09-23
Sometimes a movie comes along that shows you exactly what the filmmaking art is all about. The Motorcycle Diaries is just such a movie. It deals with the trials and tribulations of the young Ernesto Guevara de la Serna whilst he was still a medical student and before he became slightly more famous as "Che" Guevara, and his friendship with Alberto Granado, a fellow medical student as they take an eye opening and often hazardous motorcycle trip across the South American continent.
Along the way, the two friends encounter women and adventure in equal measure, as well as hostile locals, friendly locals, illness and danger, but are most affected by what they witness the treatment meted out on the native populations (or what remains of them) by locals. It is this factor that influences young Ernesto the most, and obviously what drives him to become the famous (or to some infamous) revolutionary he would be most remembered as. Granado on the other hand sees the whole thing as a big adventure at first, but whilst it takes him longer to awaken his social conscience, when he does the transformation is all the more uplifting.
As Ernesto, Gael Garcia Bernal gives a committed performance as a relatively privileged young man from a well to do family who, as his journey progresses, realises that much of his own privilege is gained at the expense of others and ultimately gives him the first inkling of his life's calling (to quote Alberto "I am not me anymore, at least I am not the same me I was"). The fact that Bernal is a highly charismatic young actor also helps to humanise the man who would become "Che" (which is actually utilised by Argentineans in much the same way as "dude" or "mate" is used by us), and allows us to empathise with his social awakening to the inequities of not only his own country but the continent as a whole.
That is not to say that Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto is any less watchable than Bernal. Initially coming across as a chubby, fun loving man who sees the journey as nothing more than an excuse to get laid in a variety of countries, his journey from self satisfaction into a more well rounded human being is all the more satisfying because he has much further to go.
On top of a couple of top notch performances, director Walter Salles has crafted a truly beautiful movie, breathtaking in scope and wonderful to look at (particularly when the two friends reach the Incan city of Machu Pichu). The film also has a number of noteworthy and often very touching scenes, in particular an extended section when the two friends stay and help out in a leper colony, something that has a deep impact on both of them, as well as the viewer.
Part road movie, part travelogue, part adventure and part social commentary, this is a film that has much to offer both the casual viewer and the more committed cinephile. Do not be put of by the subject matter, a deep understanding of "Che" Guevara is not necessary to enjoy this film, or the undoubted political slant, neither is a hindrance to the viewer's enjoyment. Ultimately a movie about two friends and their deeper understanding of each other and the world around them as a result of their experiences.
Amazon.co.uk Review
The beauty of the South American landscape and of Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Bad Education) gives The Motorcycle Diaries a charisma that is decidedly apolitical. But this portrait of the young Che Guevara (later to become a militant revolutionary) is half buddy-movie, half social commentary--and while that may seem an unholy hybrid, under the guidance of Brazillian director Walter Salles (Central Station) the movie is quietly passionate. Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna, a lusty and engaging actor) set off from Buenos Aires, hoping to circumnavigate the continent on a leaky motorcycle. They end up travelling more by foot, hitchhiking, and raft, but their experience of the land and the people affects them profoundly. No movie could affect an audience the same way, but The Motorcycle Diaries gives a soulful glimpse of an awakening social conscience, and that's worth experiencing. --Bret Fetzer
Customer Reviews:
Motorcycle diaries.......2007-08-29
This is a great look at Che's travels around South America on a ponderous, unstable old bike with his friend and fellow traveller, Alberto. It has slightly more detail than the book (of the same title)fleshing out some of the encounters and stories and really gives a clearer idea of the things they experienced on their travels. It is not only a great travelogue, but it is also a great insight into what made Che become the revolutionary he did. It looks at the exploits and relationships he experienced on the road, looking day to day for the next meal, lift or bed. The direction is superb and some of the imagery of the things they saw on their travels is simply amazing. A good film whether your interested in Che or not.
A Wothwhile Journey.......2007-08-06
I have to admit there are so many pictures of Che Guvara plastered over t-shirts, bags and even stationary that i took little interest in who he actually was. This movie changed that and introduced me to a snippet of the man before the merchandise, which proved interesting and enjoyable. The movie is very simple but riverting and even humorous, and the back drop of latin america is inspiring even to those who have no interest in Che. Ive watched the movie many times and it i love it more each time.
I especially recommend the film to anyone interested in world cinema or Gael Garcia Bernal.
Riveting.......2007-03-25
Its was a slow start but soon had me laughing out loud and feeling great emotion for the peoples of Latin American...it was easy to see how Che's experiences led him to his later role in life. This is the best film I've seen so far this year and now I'm going to read the book.
Worth watching.......2007-03-07
I enjoyed this film in the end though I must admit the only reason I initially stuck with it is because it was about Che (Ernesto) Guevera and I wanted to find out more about him especially about his life before he became the Che we associate his name with today. I found out lots of interesting facts which I was previously ignorant about like the fact he was an Argentina, from a wealthy family, was studying to become a doctor or that infact Che was not his birth name.
The first half of the film focuses on the journey of the two friends as they set off on their beloved motorcycle. The film ambled on for a while and sort of reminded me of looking at someone's scenic holiday photos which though may be beautiful in themselves, get a bit boring after awhile. They just seemed to go from place to place with not much happening inbetween except them eating up lots of kilometres. Things do pick up and you see Che's character develop and mature as the physical journey becomes an inner one which I found very touching and wonderful to watch.
I also love the simplistic, honest and powerful words he used to write his diary and letters to his mother and consequently I will be checking out the book soon. I recommend this film not only for its historical context but also as an enjoyable film about how a boy became a man.
Watch it twice.......2007-02-24
I rented this film from Amazon, having caught the second half of it on Film4.
It's the sort of film that makes you feel like quitting work, selling your posessions and seeing if you have the heart to give more than you take.
It's got subtitles, but I watched it with my 11 year old son and we were smiling and laughing and chatting about it and the subtitles helped if anything - we caught every word.
It's a superb film and when you get to the end and realise who its about, as I did, the second watching makes you understand all over again.
Customer Reviews:
A revolutionary's incubator.......2006-01-01
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES has an Argentine medical student and his biochemist pal on a backpacking road trip. There'd be nothing remarkable about the story except that it's ostensibly true and the student eventually matured into Che Guevara, that revolutionary whose memory is revered by dissidents and the politically correct everywhere.
Gael Garcia Bernal is Ernesto Guevara, who, with one year of med school remaining, is off with Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) on a 12,000+ kilometer lark through Argentina, Chile, Peru and points north on the latter's decrepit motorcycle in search of adventure, self discovery, and babes. As the bike gives up it's ghost at about the film's midpoint, the title THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES may be misleading. But, you get the picture. In any case, whether they're walking or riding, Granado is the bon vivant, while Guevara is the serious, upper middle class, young man, whose conscience is troubled by the amount of social stratification and capitalist oppression of the masses that he observes along the way. By the film's conclusion, Ernesto is beginning to evolve into the "Che" that ultimately entered history as Fidel Castro's lieutenant in the Cuban Revolution.
The film is notable for the lush scenery and spectacular locations of South America, and which include the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and a riverside leper colony, where the boys donate their volunteer services. Machu Picchu was real; I can't vouch for the authenticity of the leprosarium. (Indeed, I was impressed with the apparent authenticity of the lepers' afflictions. Were they actually people stricken with Mycobacterium leprae, or just actors with strategically applied body make-up?) The movie also has it's humorous moments, especially during the first half when our heroes stuttering progression across the landscape comprises a series of road mishaps on the motorcycle. Here, that's what constitutes male bonding.
During the ending credits, Guevara's death is attributed to the evil Central Intelligence Agency, which had Che murdered when he sought to export The Glorious Revolution to the South American mainland. Oooh, there's the Machiavellian CIA, again! However, since Che's efforts helped make Cuba into a Third World armpit for these past five decades, perhaps the American taxpayer, since unable to buy his Havanas at the corner cigar shop, got his money's worth in the end.
I would've liked THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES more without the political message that's been long since discredited. But, that's just me, an unreconstructed Cold War Neanderthal. As is, it's a good road story that reminds the viewer of the exuberance of youth and the adventures to be found if one has the stamina for it.
Fine Film.......2005-11-04
A fine effort of a film. And of course better than the dross Hollywood will ever give you. Ironically though its down to the possible cashing in to a wider market due to the up turn of popularity in films from south of Hollywood which takes away the emotive aura which creeps through on many South American movies. This leaves you feeling a little dissapointed with the end product... That's if you're tastes are removed from the US film industry, if not, you'll be happy.
Also, it's more a film on the physical adventures of the two heros, which is fine, but we never truley understand the psychology of Che and how his views were turned so dramatically (even counting the night with the economic migrant family) to one of rebel. An insight on the young Che and his personal epiphony? No.
I enjoyed the film, and its a 4 star, but the subject matter is not matched by what should of been possible in film making... from South America that is.
One of the best films from 2004.......2005-07-13
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is one of those rare films that one should see on the big screen. Having just watched the film on dvd, I wished that I did take the time to see the film in the theatre last year. The film is based on a road trip that the late Communist/Latino revolutionary Ernesto `Che' Guevara took with his best friend Alberto Granado in South America. The two friends wanted to explore South America as they have never seen it. Gael Garcia Bernal from "Y Tu Mama Tambien", and "Bad Education" plays the young Ernesto `Che' Guevara and Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto Granado. The first half of the film begins as a road flick where two friends decides on a whim to travel the country by motorcycle but during the second half, the viewer sees the nature of the film turn serious as Ernesto and Alberto starts encountering various locals who are impoverished and are suffering under the tyranny of their local government. Gael Garcia Bernal's performance as a young Che Guevara was truly impressive. There is a quiet intensity about him as an actor that made me believe that he was Che Guevara. Rodrigo de la Serna was a delight to watch as Che's womanizing, playful companion and was just as much fun to watch as Gael Garcia was as Che. The scenery was breathtaking. I truly felt like I was in South America personally. Throughout the first half of the film I always wondered where on earth the two friends found gas for the motorcycle because all I saw was them driving in desolated areas of the country where there is no gas stations. The Latin-tinged film score was excellent. It complimented each scene. Nothing loud and bombastic like in American films where the music almost overwhelms the scenes. The second hour of the film is easily the strongest moments of the film. Seeing Che and Alberto interact with the patients of a leper colony was deeply moving. I especially liked the interaction between Che and a young woman who refused to have surgery. Another great scene was when Che and Alberto arrived at the colony and shook hands with a couple of the residents without gloves as a symbolic gesture. All in all I loved the film. The performances by Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna were excellent and were a joy to watch. The bonus features were far from disappointing. Lots of bonus goodies. I really enjoyed the making of the film and the conversation with Alberto Granado.
The journey of a lifetime ..........2005-02-18
This movie tells us the story of two young men, and the adventure that would change the way they saw the world. The travellers, medical student Ernesto Guevara and biochemist Alberto Granado, decide to start a journey across South America. In January 1952 they begin their quest in an old motorcycle, without too much money but eager to visit new countries in order to learn more about South America and its inhabitants. As minutes go by, you will start to feel part of their journey, and absorb the different scenes, events and people that end up making an indelible impression on them.
Gael García Bernal plays a believable Ernesto Guevara, the person that would later be known as "Che". Rodrigo de la Serna is just as convincing as Alberto Granado, and he makes us laugh from time to time with his antics. However, the main characters aren't them, but the people they encounter in their travels, and that add up to represent people of all South America who suffered from differents kinds of injustice. We aren't shown the people that were well-off, although we get a glimpse of their lives when Ernesto visits his girlfriend before he starts his journey. Rather, we are faced with the problems of those who lived in less fortunate circumstances, for example aborigines that had been expelled of their lands, or poor people that couldn't find a job and had to travel looking for one. The spectator is also shown people who helped those in need, for example in the hospital for leprosy patients that Ernesto and Alberto visited with the purpose of learning more about the disease...
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is based on the two books that Guevara and Granados wrote about their travel: "The Motorcycle Diaries" by Guevara and "With Che Through Latin America" by Alberto Granado. It is highly likely that those books helped Brazilian director Walter Salles to make a film that sounds so true, but he obviously also contributed, and a lot, to make a film that is far from the banal, and that appeals to those who watch it. I think that it is also worthwhile to point out that the director avoided any kind of ideological preaching, something that could have been tiresome. Salles stresses, instead, that the journey was an occasion for self-discovery...
All in all, I think that you won't regret watching "The Motorcycle Diaries". It isn't an eulogy about "Che" Guevara but rather a film that gives us the chance of learning what kind of experiences molded the way in which he viewed things. If you aren't interested in that, you can just consider this movie an opportunity to appreciate the scenery of some really beautiful places in South America, and to enjoy the adventures of two young men that embarked on the journey of a lifetime...
Belen Alcat
Customer Reviews:
A revolutionary's incubator.......2006-01-01
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES has an Argentine medical student and his biochemist pal on a backpacking road trip. There'd be nothing remarkable about the story except that it's ostensibly true and the student eventually matured into Che Guevara, that revolutionary whose memory is revered by dissidents and the politically correct everywhere.
Gael Garcia Bernal is Ernesto Guevara, who, with one year of med school remaining, is off with Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) on a 12,000+ kilometer lark through Argentina, Chile, Peru and points north on the latter's decrepit motorcycle in search of adventure, self discovery, and babes. As the bike gives up it's ghost at about the film's midpoint, the title THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES may be misleading. But, you get the picture. In any case, whether they're walking or riding, Granado is the bon vivant, while Guevara is the serious, upper middle class, young man, whose conscience is troubled by the amount of social stratification and capitalist oppression of the masses that he observes along the way. By the film's conclusion, Ernesto is beginning to evolve into the "Che" that ultimately entered history as Fidel Castro's lieutenant in the Cuban Revolution.
The film is notable for the lush scenery and spectacular locations of South America, and which include the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and a riverside leper colony, where the boys donate their volunteer services. Machu Picchu was real; I can't vouch for the authenticity of the leprosarium. (Indeed, I was impressed with the apparent authenticity of the lepers' afflictions. Were they actually people stricken with Mycobacterium leprae, or just actors with strategically applied body make-up?) The movie also has it's humorous moments, especially during the first half when our heroes stuttering progression across the landscape comprises a series of road mishaps on the motorcycle. Here, that's what constitutes male bonding.
During the ending credits, Guevara's death is attributed to the evil Central Intelligence Agency, which had Che murdered when he sought to export The Glorious Revolution to the South American mainland. Oooh, there's the Machiavellian CIA, again! However, since Che's efforts helped make Cuba into a Third World armpit for these past five decades, perhaps the American taxpayer, since unable to buy his Havanas at the corner cigar shop, got his money's worth in the end.
I would've liked THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES more without the political message that's been long since discredited. But, that's just me, an unreconstructed Cold War Neanderthal. As is, it's a good road story that reminds the viewer of the exuberance of youth and the adventures to be found if one has the stamina for it.
Fine Film.......2005-11-04
A fine effort of a film. And of course better than the dross Hollywood will ever give you. Ironically though its down to the possible cashing in to a wider market due to the up turn of popularity in films from south of Hollywood which takes away the emotive aura which creeps through on many South American movies. This leaves you feeling a little dissapointed with the end product... That's if you're tastes are removed from the US film industry, if not, you'll be happy.
Also, it's more a film on the physical adventures of the two heros, which is fine, but we never truley understand the psychology of Che and how his views were turned so dramatically (even counting the night with the economic migrant family) to one of rebel. An insight on the young Che and his personal epiphony? No.
I enjoyed the film, and its a 4 star, but the subject matter is not matched by what should of been possible in film making... from South America that is.
One of the best films from 2004.......2005-07-13
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is one of those rare films that one should see on the big screen. Having just watched the film on dvd, I wished that I did take the time to see the film in the theatre last year. The film is based on a road trip that the late Communist/Latino revolutionary Ernesto `Che' Guevara took with his best friend Alberto Granado in South America. The two friends wanted to explore South America as they have never seen it. Gael Garcia Bernal from "Y Tu Mama Tambien", and "Bad Education" plays the young Ernesto `Che' Guevara and Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto Granado. The first half of the film begins as a road flick where two friends decides on a whim to travel the country by motorcycle but during the second half, the viewer sees the nature of the film turn serious as Ernesto and Alberto starts encountering various locals who are impoverished and are suffering under the tyranny of their local government. Gael Garcia Bernal's performance as a young Che Guevara was truly impressive. There is a quiet intensity about him as an actor that made me believe that he was Che Guevara. Rodrigo de la Serna was a delight to watch as Che's womanizing, playful companion and was just as much fun to watch as Gael Garcia was as Che. The scenery was breathtaking. I truly felt like I was in South America personally. Throughout the first half of the film I always wondered where on earth the two friends found gas for the motorcycle because all I saw was them driving in desolated areas of the country where there is no gas stations. The Latin-tinged film score was excellent. It complimented each scene. Nothing loud and bombastic like in American films where the music almost overwhelms the scenes. The second hour of the film is easily the strongest moments of the film. Seeing Che and Alberto interact with the patients of a leper colony was deeply moving. I especially liked the interaction between Che and a young woman who refused to have surgery. Another great scene was when Che and Alberto arrived at the colony and shook hands with a couple of the residents without gloves as a symbolic gesture. All in all I loved the film. The performances by Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna were excellent and were a joy to watch. The bonus features were far from disappointing. Lots of bonus goodies. I really enjoyed the making of the film and the conversation with Alberto Granado.
The journey of a lifetime ..........2005-02-18
This movie tells us the story of two young men, and the adventure that would change the way they saw the world. The travellers, medical student Ernesto Guevara and biochemist Alberto Granado, decide to start a journey across South America. In January 1952 they begin their quest in an old motorcycle, without too much money but eager to visit new countries in order to learn more about South America and its inhabitants. As minutes go by, you will start to feel part of their journey, and absorb the different scenes, events and people that end up making an indelible impression on them.
Gael García Bernal plays a believable Ernesto Guevara, the person that would later be known as "Che". Rodrigo de la Serna is just as convincing as Alberto Granado, and he makes us laugh from time to time with his antics. However, the main characters aren't them, but the people they encounter in their travels, and that add up to represent people of all South America who suffered from differents kinds of injustice. We aren't shown the people that were well-off, although we get a glimpse of their lives when Ernesto visits his girlfriend before he starts his journey. Rather, we are faced with the problems of those who lived in less fortunate circumstances, for example aborigines that had been expelled of their lands, or poor people that couldn't find a job and had to travel looking for one. The spectator is also shown people who helped those in need, for example in the hospital for leprosy patients that Ernesto and Alberto visited with the purpose of learning more about the disease...
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is based on the two books that Guevara and Granados wrote about their travel: "The Motorcycle Diaries" by Guevara and "With Che Through Latin America" by Alberto Granado. It is highly likely that those books helped Brazilian director Walter Salles to make a film that sounds so true, but he obviously also contributed, and a lot, to make a film that is far from the banal, and that appeals to those who watch it. I think that it is also worthwhile to point out that the director avoided any kind of ideological preaching, something that could have been tiresome. Salles stresses, instead, that the journey was an occasion for self-discovery...
All in all, I think that you won't regret watching "The Motorcycle Diaries". It isn't an eulogy about "Che" Guevara but rather a film that gives us the chance of learning what kind of experiences molded the way in which he viewed things. If you aren't interested in that, you can just consider this movie an opportunity to appreciate the scenery of some really beautiful places in South America, and to enjoy the adventures of two young men that embarked on the journey of a lifetime...
Belen Alcat
Customer Reviews:
A revolutionary's incubator.......2006-01-01
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES has an Argentine medical student and his biochemist pal on a backpacking road trip. There'd be nothing remarkable about the story except that it's ostensibly true and the student eventually matured into Che Guevara, that revolutionary whose memory is revered by dissidents and the politically correct everywhere.
Gael Garcia Bernal is Ernesto Guevara, who, with one year of med school remaining, is off with Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) on a 12,000+ kilometer lark through Argentina, Chile, Peru and points north on the latter's decrepit motorcycle in search of adventure, self discovery, and babes. As the bike gives up it's ghost at about the film's midpoint, the title THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES may be misleading. But, you get the picture. In any case, whether they're walking or riding, Granado is the bon vivant, while Guevara is the serious, upper middle class, young man, whose conscience is troubled by the amount of social stratification and capitalist oppression of the masses that he observes along the way. By the film's conclusion, Ernesto is beginning to evolve into the "Che" that ultimately entered history as Fidel Castro's lieutenant in the Cuban Revolution.
The film is notable for the lush scenery and spectacular locations of South America, and which include the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and a riverside leper colony, where the boys donate their volunteer services. Machu Picchu was real; I can't vouch for the authenticity of the leprosarium. (Indeed, I was impressed with the apparent authenticity of the lepers' afflictions. Were they actually people stricken with Mycobacterium leprae, or just actors with strategically applied body make-up?) The movie also has it's humorous moments, especially during the first half when our heroes stuttering progression across the landscape comprises a series of road mishaps on the motorcycle. Here, that's what constitutes male bonding.
During the ending credits, Guevara's death is attributed to the evil Central Intelligence Agency, which had Che murdered when he sought to export The Glorious Revolution to the South American mainland. Oooh, there's the Machiavellian CIA, again! However, since Che's efforts helped make Cuba into a Third World armpit for these past five decades, perhaps the American taxpayer, since unable to buy his Havanas at the corner cigar shop, got his money's worth in the end.
I would've liked THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES more without the political message that's been long since discredited. But, that's just me, an unreconstructed Cold War Neanderthal. As is, it's a good road story that reminds the viewer of the exuberance of youth and the adventures to be found if one has the stamina for it.
Fine Film.......2005-11-04
A fine effort of a film. And of course better than the dross Hollywood will ever give you. Ironically though its down to the possible cashing in to a wider market due to the up turn of popularity in films from south of Hollywood which takes away the emotive aura which creeps through on many South American movies. This leaves you feeling a little dissapointed with the end product... That's if you're tastes are removed from the US film industry, if not, you'll be happy.
Also, it's more a film on the physical adventures of the two heros, which is fine, but we never truley understand the psychology of Che and how his views were turned so dramatically (even counting the night with the economic migrant family) to one of rebel. An insight on the young Che and his personal epiphony? No.
I enjoyed the film, and its a 4 star, but the subject matter is not matched by what should of been possible in film making... from South America that is.
One of the best films from 2004.......2005-07-13
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is one of those rare films that one should see on the big screen. Having just watched the film on dvd, I wished that I did take the time to see the film in the theatre last year. The film is based on a road trip that the late Communist/Latino revolutionary Ernesto `Che' Guevara took with his best friend Alberto Granado in South America. The two friends wanted to explore South America as they have never seen it. Gael Garcia Bernal from "Y Tu Mama Tambien", and "Bad Education" plays the young Ernesto `Che' Guevara and Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto Granado. The first half of the film begins as a road flick where two friends decides on a whim to travel the country by motorcycle but during the second half, the viewer sees the nature of the film turn serious as Ernesto and Alberto starts encountering various locals who are impoverished and are suffering under the tyranny of their local government. Gael Garcia Bernal's performance as a young Che Guevara was truly impressive. There is a quiet intensity about him as an actor that made me believe that he was Che Guevara. Rodrigo de la Serna was a delight to watch as Che's womanizing, playful companion and was just as much fun to watch as Gael Garcia was as Che. The scenery was breathtaking. I truly felt like I was in South America personally. Throughout the first half of the film I always wondered where on earth the two friends found gas for the motorcycle because all I saw was them driving in desolated areas of the country where there is no gas stations. The Latin-tinged film score was excellent. It complimented each scene. Nothing loud and bombastic like in American films where the music almost overwhelms the scenes. The second hour of the film is easily the strongest moments of the film. Seeing Che and Alberto interact with the patients of a leper colony was deeply moving. I especially liked the interaction between Che and a young woman who refused to have surgery. Another great scene was when Che and Alberto arrived at the colony and shook hands with a couple of the residents without gloves as a symbolic gesture. All in all I loved the film. The performances by Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna were excellent and were a joy to watch. The bonus features were far from disappointing. Lots of bonus goodies. I really enjoyed the making of the film and the conversation with Alberto Granado.
The journey of a lifetime ..........2005-02-18
This movie tells us the story of two young men, and the adventure that would change the way they saw the world. The travellers, medical student Ernesto Guevara and biochemist Alberto Granado, decide to start a journey across South America. In January 1952 they begin their quest in an old motorcycle, without too much money but eager to visit new countries in order to learn more about South America and its inhabitants. As minutes go by, you will start to feel part of their journey, and absorb the different scenes, events and people that end up making an indelible impression on them.
Gael García Bernal plays a believable Ernesto Guevara, the person that would later be known as "Che". Rodrigo de la Serna is just as convincing as Alberto Granado, and he makes us laugh from time to time with his antics. However, the main characters aren't them, but the people they encounter in their travels, and that add up to represent people of all South America who suffered from differents kinds of injustice. We aren't shown the people that were well-off, although we get a glimpse of their lives when Ernesto visits his girlfriend before he starts his journey. Rather, we are faced with the problems of those who lived in less fortunate circumstances, for example aborigines that had been expelled of their lands, or poor people that couldn't find a job and had to travel looking for one. The spectator is also shown people who helped those in need, for example in the hospital for leprosy patients that Ernesto and Alberto visited with the purpose of learning more about the disease...
"The Motorcycle Diaries" is based on the two books that Guevara and Granados wrote about their travel: "The Motorcycle Diaries" by Guevara and "With Che Through Latin America" by Alberto Granado. It is highly likely that those books helped Brazilian director Walter Salles to make a film that sounds so true, but he obviously also contributed, and a lot, to make a film that is far from the banal, and that appeals to those who watch it. I think that it is also worthwhile to point out that the director avoided any kind of ideological preaching, something that could have been tiresome. Salles stresses, instead, that the journey was an occasion for self-discovery...
All in all, I think that you won't regret watching "The Motorcycle Diaries". It isn't an eulogy about "Che" Guevara but rather a film that gives us the chance of learning what kind of experiences molded the way in which he viewed things. If you aren't interested in that, you can just consider this movie an opportunity to appreciate the scenery of some really beautiful places in South America, and to enjoy the adventures of two young men that embarked on the journey of a lifetime...
Belen Alcat
UK DVD:
- The OC - The Complete Season 2
- The Shield - Season 4 [2004]
- The Thick Of It : Complete BBC Series 1 [2005]
- The Thorn Birds: Series 1
- The West Wing : Complete Season 3
- The West Wing - Complete Season 4
- The West Wing: Complete Season 5 [2001]
- The West Wing : Complete Season 6 [2001]
- The World's Fastest Indian [2005]
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy : Complete BBC Series [1979]
UK DVD List
UK DVD
![The Motorcycle Diaries [2004]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21vTfAKBsNL.jpg)
All Drama
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Drama
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Categories
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DVD
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Video
![Buena Vista Social Club [1999]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000S399D8.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Buena Vista Social Club [1999]
Travelling with Che Guevara: The Making of a Revolutionary
The Motorcycle Diaries
![Volver (Almodovar) [2006]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000KF0WXA.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Volver (Almodovar) [2006]
![El Crimen Del Padre Amaro [2003]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000C24N3.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
El Crimen Del Padre Amaro [2003]
![The Motorcycle Diaries [2004]](http://www.bill88.com/buy.gif)
![The Motorcycle Diaries [2004]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21DKA6KVGXL.jpg)
![Bad Education [2004]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002OHZZW.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Central Station [1999]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000647WT.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Motorcycle Diaries [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21GR0GRH1BL.jpg)
![Cuban Blood [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000EQ5T1U.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Fidel [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000640RU.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Amores Perros [2001]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005NGUD.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Y Tu Mama Tambien [2001]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00006JY0G.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Motorcycle Diaries [HD DVD] [2004]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21klagePVcL.jpg)
![Touching The Void [HD DVD] [2003]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0012DNHUE.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![East Is East [HD DVD] [1999]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0012DNHUY.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![In The Shadow Of The Moon [HD DVD] [2007]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000ZG4L5O.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Bleak House [HD DVD] [2005]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000VA3J20.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Godfather Trilogy [1972]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0014E917Y.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Motorcycle Diaries/Traffic [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://www.germanelectronics88.com/noimage.gif)