motorcycle diaries

January 11, 2005 &bull movies

We saw The Motorcycle Diaries last night. I’ve been wanting to see this film for quite a while and was finally able convince Heidi to go with me. It was one of those slow moving stories that didn’t have a lot of conflict or action; nonetheless, it definitely wasn’t boring. The acting was good and the filming was, at times, breathtaking.

Prior to seeing the movie I didn’t know too much about Che Guevara, aside from the fact he was a communist who helped Castro during the Cuban revolution. And, who committed some pretty atrocious crimes against his “enemies” during said revolution. (For the record I still don’t know too much about him — the movie only covers a few weeks of Guevara’s life.) The cool thing about Diaries is that it doesn’t focus on any of the later “controversial” stuff and sticks to Guevara’s beginnings and the person he was before his rise to power (if one can call it that). Not that I’m against controversy or “the truth” in movies, but I was happy that they took something pure and kept it as such. The sad thing about the story is that Guevara created this somewhat tainted legacy and didn’t seem to stay the innocent, idealistic “do-gooder” portrayed in the movie. I’m sure some would argue with my characterization, but I guess that’s my point. There shouldn’t have to be an argument. (I’m thinking about Ghandi right now.)

I’ve always been drawn to stories about people who are, sometimes by outside forces, sometimes by their own actions, drawn into situations that are less than ideal. This is one of those stories. I’m so conservative and risk-averse that it’s hard for me to comprehend leaving school (or a job or whatever) to go on a motorcycle trip with only a few bucks in my pocket. A huge part of me wishes I could live like this, which is why I love seeing/reading stories about people who can, I guess. At any rate, see this movie if you get a chance.

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