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The Motorcycle Diaries
2004
An adaptation of a journal written by Che Guevara when he was 23 years old. Along with his friend Alberto Granado he crossed South America by motorcycle in the 1950s and he recounts some of their adventures. Read more
| Starring | Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De La Serna, Mia Maestro, Mercedes Moran |
|---|---|
| Director | Walter Salles Jr. |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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It started as a fun road trip across Latin America for two Argentine friends in 1952, but the social struggles and injustices witnessed en route awakened their political consciousness — and in the case of Ernesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna sealed his future as a revolutionary icon. Based on the memoirs of Guevara (Gael García Bernal) and his companion Alberto Granado (played by Che's real-life cousin Rodrigo de la Serna), Central Station director Walter Salles's remarkably involving biography humanises Che, portraying the man rather than a propagandist myth. By turns funny (witness the duo's pick-up lines), lyrical (the gorgeously photographed locations in Argentina, Chile and Peru) and moving (their ultimate destination, the leper colony), Salles's film is astonishing in its emotional and physical scope. This inspiring story is further enhanced by Bernal's intensely charismatic performance as the young idealist, and the dynamic screen chemistry between him and de la Serna.
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High spirited, well observed road movie about a man who had yet to become the revolutionary Che Guevara, though it does concern itself with his social and political education through encounters with poverty and exploitation on his travels.
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A film you'll never forget... A masterpiece.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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70 out of 73 people found this review helpful
Fantastic and moving
This is a fantastic film, both warm and funny in its depiction of the picaresque adventures of Ernesto & Alberto as they travel across South America; and moving in the way it shows the awakening of Ernesto's revolutionary spirit as he witnesses first hand the poverty, sickness and injustice which are endemic throughout the countries he visits.
A lot of the minor characters seem to be (and probably are) real people rather than actors and the film here cleverly blurs the line between the realities of fifty years ago and today, and grants the performers a dignity and spirit that stay in the mind long after the film has finished.
The lead performances are both fine and Gael Garcia Bernal is developing into one of the most charismatic and engaging actors of the decade. The photography is beautiful too and shows a great potted summary of the continent. -
28 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Enthralling tour of South America
Motorcyle Diaries is a beautifully acted and shot, facinating insight into Che Guevara's life before he was a revolutionary.
The film takes the audience on a journey through South America and on a journey of disovery for the young Che, played by the captivating Gael Garcia Bernal. It's laugh-out-loud funny and extremely down to Earth for a film about a man who has now gained iconic status.
Please watch, even if you have no interest in Che, you will love this film. -
32 out of 54 people found this review helpful
Rating not applicable - didn't watch the film
I ordered this film on the strength of all the reports saying how good it was.
Unfortunately - I had not realised it was a foreign film with English subtitles.
On this occasion - i wasn't in the mood to cope with following subtitles and the film, so i just sent it back without watching it. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Over hyped
I was really looking forward to this but what a disapointment. The film plods along at such a slow pace it makes you check your watch every 10 mins which for me is a BAD sign. Acting was good on all parties but the director needed to step up his game to keep me from falling asleep.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Nice views of South America, poor insight into characters
This was a nice enough travelogue but through this film I was hoping to understand what turned Che Guevara into such a passionate revolutionary. I felt that the film touched the topic on the surface but didn't fully get under the skin.
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70 out of 73 people found this review helpful
Fantastic and moving
This is a fantastic film, both warm and funny in its depiction of the picaresque adventures of Ernesto & Alberto as they travel across South America; and moving in the way it shows the awakening of Ernesto's revolutionary spirit as he witnesses first hand the poverty, sickness and injustice which are endemic throughout the countries he visits.
A lot of the minor characters seem to be (and probably are) real people rather than actors and the film here cleverly blurs the line between the realities of fifty years ago and today, and grants the performers a dignity and spirit that stay in the mind long after the film has finished.
The lead performances are both fine and Gael Garcia Bernal is developing into one of the most charismatic and engaging actors of the decade. The photography is beautiful too and shows a great potted summary of the continent. -
28 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Enthralling tour of South America
Motorcyle Diaries is a beautifully acted and shot, facinating insight into Che Guevara's life before he was a revolutionary.
The film takes the audience on a journey through South America and on a journey of disovery for the young Che, played by the captivating Gael Garcia Bernal. It's laugh-out-loud funny and extremely down to Earth for a film about a man who has now gained iconic status.
Please watch, even if you have no interest in Che, you will love this film. -
32 out of 54 people found this review helpful
Rating not applicable - didn't watch the film
I ordered this film on the strength of all the reports saying how good it was.
Unfortunately - I had not realised it was a foreign film with English subtitles.
On this occasion - i wasn't in the mood to cope with following subtitles and the film, so i just sent it back without watching it. -
21 out of 21 people found this review helpful
On the road again.
This is a great film which takes you on what appears to be two different journeys. The first half of the film is almost like a buddy movie between the two central characters. We get to learn a bit about them and enjoy their company. Then there is a point in the film where the mood changes, after the two travellers meet a couple from Peru along a dessert road. They begin to learn some of the politics of America, which signals the begginings of Che's revolutionary ideals.
A good film for everyone! -
21 out of 28 people found this review helpful
Why are people so stupid?
I'm sorry to tar everyone with the same brush here, but most of the people giving this film a low rating gave it because they sent it back when they realised it was in Spanish. Fair enough if you have trouble reading subtitles, but dubbing really spoils a good movie when it can be subtitled. That's not 'arty farty', it's just fact. Anyone who likes Manga or Studio Ghibli could tell you this.
Secondly, people complain they would like to see later parts of Che's life so that they could have more action. Well for one thing, this is a film made from the diaries he and Alberto made when they were young and their perspectives on the world change completely. But also, this adds to the appeal of the movie in my opinion. It is better to see the injustices for yourself and you as a viewer are given a greater understanding of his changing perspective.
This is a brilliant film, beautifully shot with a great soundtrack. Climaxing at the very end with the most emotional scene in the film, where ther real Alberto Granado is shown. I'd wager 1 or 2 (if any) of the people who rated this film below 3 stars saw that final scene.
If you don't watch the whole movie, how can you give your opinion on it? -
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Overyped but very good
Now although this is an excellent movie .. It only got so much attention because it slipped into the mainstream and many people watched it who normarily wouldnt pick from the foreign / arthouse shelf. In reality movies like this are made around the world all the time and are ever more essential due to the decline of the Hollywood output. If you dont watch foreign movies then start here by all means and be converted .... if youre a veteran then add this to your collection. Dont be put off thinking this is political.. the movies covers a period of Guevaras life prior to his political work.
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9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Che Rides Again
I heard so much about this film, I couldn't help but feel wary as to whether or not it could live up to all the hype.
It did.
Beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, great screenplay and a piece of cinema that genuinely affects you.
I have always loved road movies but this has to be one of the best. Ever. -
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Thought provoking and uplifting!
This film is a funny, subtle and poignant tribute to the friendship between Alberto Granado and Ernesto Guevara. Prepare to embark on a mammoth road trip through Latin America with the objective of the trip being girls, beer and self-discovery!
As the movie unfolds you begin to see a change in the characters, particularly Ernesto Guevara as they encounter a poverty-stricken land plagued with injustice. Prepare yourself for a mixture of laughter and tears in this thought provoking but amazingly uplifting film!
I loved it, particularly the ending! -
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Superb film
A superb way to spend 2 hours on a trip through South America, with Che Guevara. This film works on several levels - for the ladies, Gael is superb; for the revolutionaries at heart, this film makes you want to go do something different with your life; and for those who like a gentle, developing story (sorry, no fast action for the Hollywood-movie-brainwashed), it is an all round great film.
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Brillant
Interesting film to watch when you need a good story that's thought provoking and true. The acting was subtle and the scenery stunning and well filmed.
Critics' reviews (6)
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It started as a fun road trip across Latin America for two Argentine friends in 1952, but the social struggles and injustices witnessed en route awakened their political consciousness — and in the case of Ernesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna sealed his future as a revolutionary icon. Based on the memoirs of Guevara (Gael García Bernal) and his companion Alberto Granado (played by Che's real-life cousin Rodrigo de la Serna), Central Station director Walter Salles's remarkably involving biography humanises Che, portraying the man rather than a propagandist myth. By turns funny (witness the duo's pick-up lines), lyrical (the gorgeously photographed locations in Argentina, Chile and Peru) and moving (their ultimate destination, the leper colony), Salles's film is astonishing in its emotional and physical scope. This inspiring story is further enhanced by Bernal's intensely charismatic performance as the young idealist, and the dynamic screen chemistry between him and de la Serna.
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High spirited, well observed road movie about a man who had yet to become the revolutionary Che Guevara, though it does concern itself with his social and political education through encounters with poverty and exploitation on his travels.
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A film you'll never forget... A masterpiece.
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A stunning movie
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A triumph
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Powerful
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Motorcycle Diaries, The - HD DVD Version
In 1952, a young medical student and a biochemist from Argentina set off on a road trip across South America. As they straddled their beaten up motorcycle, the men talked in awed tones of the sights they were about to experience. The record of their trip may have disappeared into the ether if one ...
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- Motorcycle Diaries, The - BLU-RAY Version
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An adaptation of a journal written by Che Guevara when he was 23 years old. Along with his friend Alberto Granado he crossed South America by motorcycle in the 1950s and he recounts some of their ... -
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- The Motorcycle Diaries
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An adaptation of a journal written by Che Guevara when he was 23 years old. Along with his friend Alberto Granado he crossed South America by motorcycle in the 1950s and he recounts some of their ... -
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