'The Motorcycle Diaries:' Ernesto Guevara Before He Was Che

Release Date: (In Argentina as 'Diarios de motocicleta') July 29, 2004;(US/Sundance) January 15, 2004

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna

Director: Walter Salles

MPAA Rating: Rated R for language

Trailer

Official Movie Website

Note: I am neither a lover or hater of Che Guevara. Do not assume anything about my political views; this entry is about a movie.

Everyone has come across the iconic image of Marxist Che Guevara at least once in their lifetime. Even if you do not know who he is or what he did, no doubt you've seen this image before.

Now ironically plastered over millions of merchandise

'The Motorcycle Diaries' does not focus on Che when he was Che. It focuses on him when he was simply 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara's ('Letters to Juliet's Gael Garcia Bernal) and his 1952 road trip with his best friend, Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna).

'Diaries' is adapted from the journal Ernesto wrote about that very journey and is also backed up by some passages from Back on the Road: A Journey Through Latin Ameria by Alberto, his friend.

Ernesto, only a semester away from finishing his medical degree, and Alberto decide to leave Buenos Aires and travel across the South American continent to do their medical residency at a leper colony in Peru.

The journey starts out as a typical college student road trip: just having some good old fun and letting out their strong desires for adventure. Yet, as the film unfolds, Ernesto's eyes are opened in ways that change him. His life's path is rewritten and encounters the inevitable split of the two friends' destinies.

I enjoyed 'Diaries' a lot. I think watching this film really opens up Che's perspective on life a lot more to those who watch it or read the journal.

I am, in all innocent honesty, not a big fan or opposer of the Che craze. I think it is because I've known so many people who have plastered his image on an item and use it to describe their own passive rebellion and not really understand exactly what he stood for. My point: Che was an anti-capitalist and now his image is strewn across millions of merchandise all for the profit of company owners...in other words, an anti-capitalist is paying for the capitalist's lunch right now. You see where I'm going with this?

If you see anyone with an image of Che anywhere on them, ask them about him and what he stands for. About 1 out of 7 people will answer you will a complete, correct answer. Okay, maybe 2.

But, forget about what Che stands for when you watch 'Diaries.' On a deeper level, this is about finding the path to one's life. Sometimes we take one road, occasionally with a friend, then life happens to the best of us. Things change, friends are separated, paths are split, we fall on the ground and pick ourselves up.

I liked the movie because I saw Ernesto Guevara as a human, not Che the Image. I was able to see how he got from Point A to Point B and why he became the way he did. Even my father, who is not a fan of Che's actions, likes this film. So, I think anyone with an open mind can appreciate 'Diaries.' The dialogue is good and the actors, director, and writers did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.

The music is also worth mentioning because it is absolutely beautiful. I love listening to a particular song when I feel like relaxing or when I am traveling. Gustavo Santaolalla's piece "De Usuahia a la Quiaca" is a very good song.

Rent worthy? Oh yeah, I think this is a movie to watch, especially for those who actually WANT to know who Che used to be. Sundance Film Institutes' founder, the great Robert Redford, produced this film and he is quite good at picking up potential in films.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? I do not think this is a movie I would watch over and over again constantly. I will see it again one day if I am in the mood since my father owns it. For myself though, I do not know if I want it enough.

Keep on watchin',

The Little Critic

'Letters To Juliet' and Another Moment When I Don't Have a Witty Title

Theater Release Date: May 14, 2010

DVD Release Date: September 14, 2010

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Egan, Franco Nero, Gael García Bernal

Director: Gary Winick

MPAA Rating: PG for brief rude behavior, some language and incidental smoking

Trailer


Official Movie Website

I saw 'Letters to Juliet' a few weeks or so after it came out. My blog was not up and running at that time so I have never really talked about it until now. Now that it is coming out on DVD/Blu-Ray tomorrow, I shall review it.

I'd like to put it out there that I do not care for majority of the genre many people know as "Chick Flicks." I can watch all the classic Disney films AND sing-along with their catchy songs, and even then, most chick flicks are too much for me. It's weird because I am a romantic, but...

I can never connect to most main characters in other romantic films because it's almost always the same: Woman sees attractive man. Man stares back at her and gives her an accepting glance. Romantic feelings are immediately between them despite only seeing each other for a total of 5 seconds. They say hi and, in some cases, get a cup of coffee. They get together. They fight because of a misunderstanding. They make-up, make passionate love. Everyone is happy and gets what they want. There may be a marriage and a few kids in the end.

Umm, yeah. I've never had that "staring in awe" moment with a random, cute guy in my life...ever.

I dare any of the people reading this to just stop and stare when you see a random cute guy/girl. And I mean STARE. If they move left, follow them with your eyes. If they move out of sight, move where they are to get a better glimpse. Call me if that action did NOT inspire a weirded-out look from the person receiving your creeper gaze.

"I see we've made brief eye contact. That meaningful moment means I am yours FOREVER...Love you..darling."

But 'Juliet' is different, to me. It certainly is not the greatest film in the world, but it's not too bad either as far as romantic genres go. I think, despite my young age, I could connect with Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and part of her story.

Now, don't get me wrong, the film has some wishful, corny moments too, but mostly with Sophie's (Amanda Seyfried) story.

Sophie, an American journalist, travels with her fiance', Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal), to Verona, Italy; the "home" of Shakespeare's literary character, Juliet Capulet. After wanting to explore alone, Sophie discovers a group of volunteers who call themselves "Juliet's secretaries."

These women respond to all letters left at a non-Facebook wall from people seeking romantic advice from Juliet.

Fascinated, Sophie offers to help out. She begins to collect the letters at the end of the day and discovers one from 1957 from a woman named Claire. Despite the old age, she responds back, not knowing what she just did.

A few days later, a young, rich Englishman, Charlie (Chris Egan), arrives and tell Sophie that his grandmother is Claire from the old letter and she is now in Verona and that it is entirely Sophie's fault.

Because of her response, Claire is now on a quest to find her old Italian lover that she has clearly not forgotton after many years. Problem is, there are hundreds of Lorenzo Bartolinis's in the area. Yet, that does not stop determined Claire.

Sophie decides to accompany Claire, much to bratty Charlie's disappointment. She does not only help Claire with her love story, but Sophie begins to reflect on her own with Victor as well.

So, in short, I liked it. I think it was because I could connect with things that Claire said. I do believe there can be love that never dies and that one will always wonder if a second chance is possible. Personally, I think that can happen only to the best of relationships and second chances do not work with just anyone you happened to go out with. I guess, in a way, I hoped it would happen to me.

Anyways, this is not exactly the best film and it's predictable, but I could connect with it for personal reasons. I hope, if you're interested, that you can connect with some of parts of it too. I think if you get that initial connection to 'Juliet,' you will like it. If not, then it'll just be a maybe.

Rent worthy? If you're a fan of romantic films, yes, it's worth watching. If you are a man, I recommend 'In Bruges,' which I have a review of below this one. If you're a man with a girlfriend/wife who wants to watch this, put up with it.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? Hmm, now that I think about it, I'm not sure if I want it. I like it, but I think it's one of those films I'll watch if it's on TV. I'm sure in another year or two, it will premiere on Lifetime or something. It is coming out in stores tomorrow.

Random Trivia: Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero are a couple in real life. They met on the set of the 1967 musical film 'Camelot.' Redgrave played Lady Guinevere while Nero played Lancelot. They had a child together in 1969 and separated for many years. They reunited and on December 31, 2006, they married. Second chances can happen.

Keep on watchin'

The Little Critic