Review of The Motorcycle Diaries

[Sushi]

Review of The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta)

Rating - 15
Language - Spanish (subtitled in English)
Running Time - 128 mins.


Motorcycle Diaries, directed by Walter Salles, follows Ernesto Guevara (Gael García Bernal), before becoming the Cuban Revolutionist Che’ Guevara, and Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De la Serna) in an essentially coming of age story.

The film is set in 1952, and recreates their ambitious road trip across Latin America on “The Mighty One”, a burnt out 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle. What begins as a high spirited adventure soon descends into a probe of the troubles and injustices of the world, profoundly affecting Ernesto and Alberto.

Gael García Bernal and Rodrigo De la Serna are perfectly casts in their roles, providing a likable dynamic between the two. The landscape shots are awe inspiring, but the most touching moments are found in Ernesto’s letters home, and the ending black and white static shots of characters throughout the film.

Motorcycle Diaries in itself provides an entertaining film, but for those interested, also allows for the political framing of Che’ Guevara.

5/5

[offbeat69]

P.S. The book is better.

[Sushi]

I'm not sure if it was because I watched the film first, but I actually preferred it to the book.

'Bolivian Diaries' is an interesting read as well.