The Motorcycle Diaries
I went to see 'The Motorcycle Diaries' last night. For the last few years I have, for the most part, been avoiding reviews of films as I found that they were ruining my movie-going experiences. As a result I knew very little about the film beforehand. In fact, I hadn't even realised that the true title is 'Diarios de motocicleta' as it is in Spanish with English subtitles. I knew what it was about, but I had thought it was an American English language film. So that's how little I knew about it. And that's the way I like it, as few preconceptions as possible. Expectations have ruined so many films for me... in fact, I think all films should be given crap reviews in order that the viewer can be pleasantly surprised more often. However I'm not going to give this movie a crap review...!
The IMDB plot summary says 'The Motorcycle Diaries is based on the journals of Che Guevara, leader of the Cuban Revolution. In his memoirs, Guevara recounts adventures he, and best friend Alberto Granado, had while crossing South America by motorcycle in the early 1950s.'
It's definitely the best film I have seen in a while. It's not perfect, granted, but it's so much better than so much of the dross that gets made these days. And it's nice to watch a film that actually has some integrity to it - so much of what we watch now simply panders to what the marketing department figures is the lowest common denominator. Motorcycle Diaries tries to present its story simply and efficiently. No tricks, no special effects, no gratuitous sex or violence, no easy cheesy laughs, no spelling it out for you... it's entertaining while also thought provoking without being too preachy or in your face with politics. The film simply documents the trip of the two friends and in doing so gives the viewer an insight into the type of person who becomes a revolutionary leader.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that iconic figures in history were once 23 year olds with normal lives. For me the most important aspect of the film was the realisation, or affirmation, that you don't have to just lie down and accept injustice. Here you have a 23 year old whose adventures across South America helped mould him into someone who would have a profound affect on history. Someone who obviously felt it unacceptable to continue as normal when the world was going to shit. Someone who believed that large scale change was necessary and achievable.
I don't know much about Che Guevara so I'm not talking about his achievements here, I am only observing that he acted on his beliefs and wasn't put off by the scale of the opposition.
Reading over what I have read I realise I should clarify that the film is for the most part a buddy movie. A trip across south America taken by two friends. It is an entertaining and enjoyable film. It is primarily the knowledge of who Che Guevara became that makes the film thought provoking, as there is little or no attempt by the film makers to spell it out for us or to tie the film to the mans later achievements.
however the film has made me want to read more about the man and his achievements. And I intend to look into what books are available on him.
Any suggestions?
The IMDB plot summary says 'The Motorcycle Diaries is based on the journals of Che Guevara, leader of the Cuban Revolution. In his memoirs, Guevara recounts adventures he, and best friend Alberto Granado, had while crossing South America by motorcycle in the early 1950s.'
It's definitely the best film I have seen in a while. It's not perfect, granted, but it's so much better than so much of the dross that gets made these days. And it's nice to watch a film that actually has some integrity to it - so much of what we watch now simply panders to what the marketing department figures is the lowest common denominator. Motorcycle Diaries tries to present its story simply and efficiently. No tricks, no special effects, no gratuitous sex or violence, no easy cheesy laughs, no spelling it out for you... it's entertaining while also thought provoking without being too preachy or in your face with politics. The film simply documents the trip of the two friends and in doing so gives the viewer an insight into the type of person who becomes a revolutionary leader.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that iconic figures in history were once 23 year olds with normal lives. For me the most important aspect of the film was the realisation, or affirmation, that you don't have to just lie down and accept injustice. Here you have a 23 year old whose adventures across South America helped mould him into someone who would have a profound affect on history. Someone who obviously felt it unacceptable to continue as normal when the world was going to shit. Someone who believed that large scale change was necessary and achievable.
I don't know much about Che Guevara so I'm not talking about his achievements here, I am only observing that he acted on his beliefs and wasn't put off by the scale of the opposition.
Reading over what I have read I realise I should clarify that the film is for the most part a buddy movie. A trip across south America taken by two friends. It is an entertaining and enjoyable film. It is primarily the knowledge of who Che Guevara became that makes the film thought provoking, as there is little or no attempt by the film makers to spell it out for us or to tie the film to the mans later achievements.
however the film has made me want to read more about the man and his achievements. And I intend to look into what books are available on him.
Any suggestions?
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