The Motorcycle Diaries

This newly released foreign film starring Gael Garcia Bernal (from "Y Tu Mama Tambien" and "The Crime of Father Amarro") is one that reminded me of the photography of David Dobson. Director Walter Salles takes part of the life story of Che Guavara (a leader of the Cuban revolution) and tells not of his revolutionary days but rather (more importantly I might add), tells us his story before his revolutionary days begin. What lead up to his strong beliefs in social injustice and his love for the poor, and physically wounded members can be found like a beautiful photograph of early 1950's Peru.

The film begins with two guys---one a doctor and the other a biochemist---on a journey across South America in hopes of seeing the bigger world outside of their hometown. Bernal plays Ernesto (Che) with such conviction and committment, I'd be surprised if Oscar voters didn't at least consider him for a Best Actor contender. This is the breakthrough performance of his career that could make him the American movie star icon he so desperately deserves to be. Nonetheless, Ernesto is one of those rare movie characters (yes, he's based on a real person but still, the fact that a movie portrays a man with such personal convictions is admirable) who believes honesty, compassion, honour and human touch (love?) are the things the world is missing. Pretty noble for a 23-year-old aspiring physician wouldn't you say?

The two friend's motorcycle adventures are at first, seemingly harmless, as one-after-another-breakdown keeps preventing them from their final destination. But in this slowing down of their trip, they're forced to see the world, for the first time. As the movie progresses, you can see and feel Ernesto's heart expanding, as injustice after injustice stares him straight in the face town after town. But thankfully, the movie doesn't fall into propaganda and cries of idealist thoughts but rather, takes these images and uses them to help change the actions of Ernesto (what better thing could one ask for?).

Without saying anything more about the plot, the movie felt like a mission trip to me in a way...where the age-old truth of 'learning more from the poor than you're able to help the poor on your mission' stood out. By the time the movie ended, the audience was cheering and I at the same time was shocked to see a movie playing on a random tuesday night in Pasadena could stir up so much emotion and move so many watchers and listeners. Enough said, go see the movie! You won't regret it. (Especially Liz! You like David Dobson's photography right??)