The Motorcycle Diaries is an intoxicating movie, chronicling the young Che Guevara's travels around South America in the early 50s. It's a visually stunning road movie where the most important journey takes place within its hero's head - Guevera going from disaffected medical student to rebel with a cause. If it all sounds worthier than a Morning Star editorial meeting, don't be misled: this is serious fun and one of the best movies of 2004.
The charismatic Gael GarcÃa Bernal stars as Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, a 23-year-old embarking on an 8,000km trip from Argentina to Venezuela with biochemist friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De La Serna). Their mode of transport is less reliable than Virgin Trains: a dilapidated Norton 500 motorbike that's seen better decades. The two men's subsequent journey will open their eyes to social injustice, beautiful women, human kindness, more beautiful women, and the true meaning of the term saddle sore.
"TENDER AND MEMORABLE INSIGHT"
The film is understandably episodic in nature, using Guevara's journals and touching letters home to reflect his political awakening. But you don't need to know about - or share - Guevara's revolutionary views to connect with the movie. At its core this is a story about two friends on the adventure of a lifetime, enjoying the ups and downs of the open road.
Director Walter Salles (Central Station) delivers a mesmerising portrait of 50s South America, both geographically and sociologically. He also produces the most jittery camerawork since The Blair Witch Project to capture the bone-shaking roads and the harsh realities of the duo's travels.
Guevara's trip brought him "closer to this strange human race". The Motorcycle Diaries may not quite manage that, but it provides a tender and memorable insight into one of the 20th century's most iconic figures. You've bought the t-shirt, now see the movie.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
