Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries is the true story of two young Argentines, Alberto Granado and Ernesto Guevara de la Serna ("El Che"). In January of 1952, the two best friends embark on a journey on Alberto's 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle. Over the course of 8 months they discover new destinations and also encounter the sorrow and injustices of the people of the land. Not only do the men discover a profound desire to change the world around them, but they also experience people and places that hardly anyone gets to discover.

Ernesto (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a 23 year old med student who is specializing in lepro-biology. His best friend Alberto (Rodrigo de la Serna), age 29, is a biochemist. Their travels took them through breathtaking landscapes, including Argentina, Chile and Peru. Filming also took place in the Amazon and the Andes, where extreme weather conditions made it very difficult sometimes.

To appreciate the film, I believe that you have to realize the importance of Che Guevara as he is considered to be one of the icons of the century. Leading the Cuban revolution later on in life, The Motorcycle Diaries is a depiction of Ernesto before he became an influential man in Latin America and the rest of the world. Ernesto struggles with asthma but continues to push himself. When he sees injustices he does everything in his power to try and change what he sees. However, the film fails to probe deep enough into the characters to really feel powerfully about them. There is nothing compelling or fascinating about Ernesto. His sidekick Alberto is the comic relief but almost exaggerated, as if there for the entertainment factor in the film.

Visually stunning, and interesting at times are what holds the film together. However, these moments are few and far between. The highlight of the film is at the end, when Alberto and Ernesto finally reach an isolated island where patients with leprosy reside. It is here they offer their services and kindness to these people. Again, we are told what an influence the two men are on these people but it's not shown in great detail. In order to feel the presence of characters or a tug at your heart strings, there needs to be more investment, more time spent with the characters"¦.Showing, not telling would have improved the film.

This film is meant to be a journey of self discovery and awareness. The suspense is few and far between. There is not much to keep you watching or waiting on what will happen. Rather, it's a series of moments pushed together with nothing to resolve or no conflict to overcome"¦ but isn't that's what's most representative of real life anyway? A series of moments that slowly change your life

forever"¦.

Movie Grade: B-