Che (Parts 1 & 2) Review

Posted by Chad Webb on 12.27.2008

The rise and fall of a revolutionary.

Benicio Del Toro: Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Rodrigo Santoro: Raul Castro
Demian Bichir: Fidel Castro
Julia Ormond: Lisa Howard
Catalina Sandino Moreno: Aleida March
Franka Potente: Tania
Joaquim de Almeida: President Rene Barrientos
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Written By: Peter Buchman and Benjamin A. van der Veen
Running Time: 257 minutes







R for some violence.

For many years, I wondered why people displayed Che Guevara's face on clothing, stickers, patches, and walls. After experiencing Steven Soderbergh's five hour epic on the revolutionary, I have come to understand why his image is plastered all over the place. It is definitely a long film, but it is certainly not dull. The goal was to express the rise and fall of this historic figure, to put the past on the screen, and to eliminate any misconceptions. Debating the amount of political relevance or what tiny historical inaccuracies might be present over soaking in the fascination and profundity of Che means Soderbergh's intentions have drifted over your head. This is a portrait of what this person was like, and each hour is just as gripping as the next.

It is important to note that this is not a documentary, and those expecting that should be reminded of my philosophy. Movies are not meant to be documentaries and documentaries are not meant to be movies. Steven Soderbergh has stated that he was "agnostic on Che's standing, but loyal to the facts", and I appreciate that because delving any further or choosing a permanent side becomes increasingly tricky and has the potential to be flawed and disjointed. Many also make the claim that Che evades the darker side of Guevara, and while that attitude might not paraded in full force, spurts of his mean streak are indeed on hand. This is a honest and straightforward interpretation that does not demand the stereotypical form of emotional attachment.

Che: Part One, also known as "The Argentine", focuses on Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Benicio Del Toro) and a band of Cuban exiles, led by Fidel Castro (Demian Bichir), as they attempt to overthrow the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista. It takes place over two years as they mobilize support, but also includes segments on Che's famous 1964 visit to New York. He joins the Cuban Revolution in 1955 as a physician, Marxist, and soldier suffering from asthma, who makes himself stronger through physical ordeals. Part one covers his ascension to controversy.

"The Argentine" exposes a smoothly processing machine of revolutionaries, whose passion to achieve a greater good is crystal clear as they move to each and every city. One scene, though it does not seem overly significant at first, in fact summarizes the dedication of the mission. The objective is to ambush some soldiers taking cover in a church. Instead of attacking the church in plain view, they take out dozens of walls connected to the building. Each wall is thick and hard to crack, but the result is worth the effort. The structure of part one alternates between the revolution and the events of 1964, and reveal how Che's mood and contentment changes according to what terrain he is in.

"Guerrila" is the name of part two, which commences with Guevara disappearing from Cuba at the height of his power. He had moved on to revolutions throughout South American and Africa. This half picks up as he recruits fighters on a quest in Bolivia, weaving in and out of the harsh jungles of that country. This venture is not nearly as capable or efficiently organized as the excursion in Cuba was. "Guerilla" contains no alternating storylines. It simply follows a straight line to Che's fate.

Those who are pro-Che and anti-Che will ultimately come to their own conclusions on this piece of cinema, but Soderbergh has crafted a film that has people all over the globe talking, and that is not a feat easily attained. Both halves display colorful maps at beginning so the various territories and areas of Cuba, South America, and Bolivia are presented to those unfamiliar in the audience. This is such a small detail, but an important one as it helps in understanding the characters conversations and strategies from then on. This further entices the entire world to be hypnotized by Che's adventures.

What intrigued me about Che was his honesty, and how being a leader came so naturally to him as long as he worked in a comfortable element. When questioned as to whether or not he believed in God, he replies "I believe in mankind." In "The Argentine", he admits that his group has executed, and will continue to execute as long as it is necessary. Just because he is blunt doesn't make it right, but the fact that he never conceals it says a great deal about him. Che is also depicted as a man possessing pure, unadulterated bravery. In "Guerilla", he forgets his medicine, yet trudges along in the heat of battle. All the time he can be seen writing, which is worthwhile since this is based on the memoir Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War and his Bolivian Diary.

Benicio Del Toro will not garner the type of praise that someone like Forest Whitaker received for his role of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. The performances are drastically different, but equally as brilliant. Whitaker was handed moments of amazement with loud and powerful speeches. Del Toro has very few of those because that was definitely not the goal of the portrayal. This was tailored to be more faithful than charismatic. Del Toro disappears into the revolutionary with ease. To look at him running through the jungles, standing at the U.N. podium, or firing a bazooka is to see Che Guevara, not Benicio Del Toro. This is one of highest compliments one can afford an actor. To forget who you are watching is to be lured into another realm entirely.

Around Del Toro is a resplendent supporting team that fades into their characters just as marvelously. None have as much to sink their teeth into as Del Toro, but that is expected. Catalina Sandino Moreno is excellent as Aleida March, whose contribution shines brighter in "The Argentine." Demian Bichir is awarded the daunting task of playing a young Fidel Castro, a man everyone knows about. He is superlative, and establishes a unique blend of friendship and clashing opinions with Che as they advance toward victory.

The woman of numerous hairstyles, Franka Potente, is Tania, a woman helping the Bolivian revolution from the inside. She is outstanding in every frame, eliciting both class and toughness. One scene where she and some fellow soldiers are surrounded on a stream is one of the most suspenseful of the picture. Aside from the star, two other noticeable faces appear. The first is Lou Diamond Phillips, who is quite solid and suitable in his small capacity. The second is Matt Damon, who obviously stands out like a sore thumb, but Damon is a skilled actor, and is up to par. Joaquim de Almeida is President Rene Barrientos, the chief enemy in "Guerilla." He is always juiciest in a role with villainous tendencies. See Desperado for proof.

Soderbergh thankfully does not cater to viewers with weak attention spans in Che. The running time is the first clue, but the dialogue, and the pace at which it is occasionally unleashed is organic, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. At times the topics are complex, and this just urges one to watch the film again. No sugarcoating, glitz, or glamour will be found decorating the gritty exterior. The 1964 visit is shot in black & white to accentuate what is being discussed and to instill vital immediacy. Explosions are not inserted at random just to maintain studio approval of action quantity, or prevent some from falling asleep. The battles that are included are masterfully staged and timed with precision. One feels immersed in the skirmish with the combatants.

What will confuse many moviegoers, and likely stir arguments is the identity of Che. This is not a polemic. This is a biopic, or rather a glimpse at these two historical periods of Che Guevara's life, and how his actions echoed to future generations. This is not the first time Ernesto Guevara has been portrayed either. One of the earliest was 1969's dreadful Che! with Omar Sharif as the titular character, and even Jack Palance as Fidel Castro. Throughout the decades, more director's would try, but fail to capture Che's soul until 2004 when The Motorcycle Diaries was released. As a road pic starring the amazing Gael Garcia Bernal, it covers a trip Che took as a young man, which prompted him to become a revolutionary. If one chose to watch this, and then Soderbergh's Che, it would be an over 7 hour extravaganza, or "Day of Che."

One must be aware of a few notes before paying the admission price. If your only knowledge of Che is a popular sticker, if you want to see this because it was made by that guy who made Ocean's Eleven, or if you are just a die-hard Benicio Del Toro fan, think twice before spending five hours on this bravura epic because it will not be what you anticipated or desired. This is as compelling an event as any that 2008 has offered, and its lingering splendor is impossible to shake.

The 411: I remembered early reviews from the various festivals Che had appeared at, and they were not unanimously positive, so I forgot about the film and never expected to love it as much as I did. I was fascinated with this figure and what he represented. Whether or not I agree with him or his actions is not the point. In terms of a movie character, Che Guevara is every bit as intriguing as Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon. Steven Soderbergh has always been a director with limitless boundaries. Now, we know he is capable of just about anything. His vast epic spanning several years, is transfixing from start to finish with outstanding performances, brilliant battle sequences, and many memorably chilling moments. If you can see it in full, do so. If not, see it anyway you can.

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]