The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

I can see how this movie is a favourite of a lot of people. The actors played the roles extremely well and were aided by a decent script. The entire movie was shot well and everything seemed to be exactly what you would want in a good movie. The problem however is that the movie was not for me. I struggled with it not overly enjoying the ride I was taken on. This is not a knock on the makers of the movie, as I said they did a good job, its just I personally didn't really enjoy it much.

A biopic on Che Guevara, The Motorcycle Diaries traces his famous journey on his friend's motorcycle across South America that kick- started the rebel in him. The movie explores the benign side of Che when he was a medical student, kind and affable with a disarming smile. Much loved by his family and friends, he was a dutiful person unwary of what the future beheld for him. A dear friend Alberto, talked him into covering vast expanse of the continent on his rusty motor cycle for sheer adventure and thrill. They started off from their hometown heavily loaded with supplies and adrenaline. Starting from the visit to Che's girlfriend, they traveled across the periphery of the continent, frequently punctuated with unexpected hiccups such as motor cycle breakdowns, minor conflicts and occasional starvation. Soon, they realized South America was more than what they had seen. They met a large number of oppressed farmers on their way. Each interaction is portrayed to have significantly appealed to Che's conscious until they reached a leprosy health camp as medical doctors. His stay at the camp completely transformed him into a man with solid intent and infallible purpose to fight against oppression, fight for a better America. The movie inspired by his letters to his relatives throughout this journey, wonderfully captures the free-lance spirit of two guys, their funny yet deep camaraderie, their travails and their self- realizations. Evenly paced, emotionally stirring and humorous, Motorcycle Diaries is a holistic yet concise account of genesis of one of the greatest revolutionaries the world has ever seen.

First, had to set aside my prejudices to view this film. If you're like me whenever 'Ernesto Che Guevera' is even mentioned en passant, I found myself conflicted. Yes, I too have many preconceived notions as to who the 'real' Che was. But from the film adaptation of the novel by Guevera's own hand, we learn that Ernesto started out in earnest (scuza the pun): Guevera studied to become a doctor. Quite the noble calling. And far flung from his later political activist career where his life was cut short: he died in a hail of bullets; called for by his Bolivian captors and eventual executioners.Let me set that all aside for now. Ernesto or 'Fuser' as he was affectionately known to his side kick and co-adventurer, Alberto, who is slightly older but still in his twenties plans the adventure of a lifetime. Together the 20 year-old idealists riding two up in the saddle atop an oil bleeding but still functioning single cylinder 500 cc Norton affectionately named 'The Mighty One' set out. They envision seeing and experiencing the length and a good part of the breadth of the South American continent.The intrepid explorers begin their journey in their native Argentina. From Buenos Aires, they ride south. Then they plan to head north: hug the Pacific coast and follow the roads all the way up from the tip of Chile. Their destination: Venezuela. Once they reached Caracas, Fuser and Alberto would celebrate the latter's 30th birthday. The entire journey was to take no more than six months.En route, the explorers experience everything from the forever changing landscapes such as the towering Chilean Andes to the gamut of human emotions. Even at their tender age, I doubt if the lads were prepared or even welcomed their encounters with fellow 'average' Latin Americans. Especially poignant is their visit to a Leper Colony. Fuser is moved from the very first encounter. Moreover, he cannot hide his indignation at the suffering of the sick but also for the oppressed peoples that they encounter throughout. Alberto, on the other hand, is all too consumed with his amorous side of the adventure. For certain, he is not one to morph into a deep thinker. Not if a loose skirt or unbuttoned female tunic beckons nearby.Late in the film, Alberto though does have his epiphany; sort of. In Venezuela,the two pals who were almost inseparable but at times insufferable; part ways. Fuser now filled to the brim with memories of the social injustices he's experienced everywhere on the continent is resolute: he vows to change the world. Or at least the Latin American contingent. Alberto,not of the same persuasion, disavows himself from that laudable platitude. But not before the two exchange tear filled hugs. Then Alberto returns to Venezuela. Fuser doesn't join him; he sets his sights farther afield: Cuba.Throughout this film, I was drawn to their journey. Many times I felt transported to each scene: I was right there, alongside the two Latin musketeers. And along with the ethos and pathos themes there was plenty of humor to draw from as well: such as their harrowing escape from the local dance hall after Fuser tried to romance the drunken mechanic's wife. The benevolent tradesman who just hours earlier had offered to repair the 'tired' Norton for free, sobered up just in time: a friend caught the two tryst makers escaping into the Chilean night air; almost certain they would christen their chance meeting.Both director Walter Salles and producer Robert Redford deserve many kudos for making this stirring and moving film. Despite what your views now are on how Ernesto Che Guevera turned out later, if you're like me, theFuser character as portrayed brilliantly in the film by Gael Garcia Bernal is one to emulate at any age. To wit, it's never too late to show compassion on those that society has forgotten. Makes no difference where you live either. Or what your political affiliations are. How can we remain silent when so much injustice still abounds in the world? I remember Fuser saying the exact same line. Many times; still needs to be said even more.Good on all those who helped make this film a reality. Because the reality is this: much social injustice exists around the globe even today; still seems to be a topic that is to be avoided at all costs; especially by the 'haves'. A pithy but needed observation...

"Let the world change you;then you can change the world".There are certain things in our life, which are just waiting for their time. If we just allow them knowingly or unknowingly, they do their part so fine. When you encounter them for the first time they seem like they are yet another same thing that you've crossed a million times, but slowly... slowly they breach into you, your most private portions of your soul.They make you cry. Cry not out of pain but out of ineffable Happiness.They make you feel your presence and its prominence on this lonely planet.They change you, make you what you weren't ever before.They keep knocking you from within and churn you like anything.This is one such creation.... 'The Motorcycle Diaries' a Spanish movie directed by Walter Salles.for a detailed version, please visit : http://wp.me/p11OxZ-1B