The Motorcycle
Diaries is a
mesmerizing and intimate adventure and character study based on
the true-life story of two friends who set off on a road trip
where they will discover their country and their true selves. It
is a film about social awareness, compassion for others, and, most
importantly, friendship.
Two young friends,
one a medical student and one a biochemist, from an upper class area
of Buenos Aires decide to take a trip through South America in
1952 on their beat up motorcycle that they have nicknamed The Mighty
One. The medical student is 23 year-old Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael
Garcia Bernal) before he found fame and martyrdom as the Cuban
revolutionary. He is a young, honorable man looking for one last
great time to be free to soak up life, meet some girls, and travel to
unseen areas before his inevitable transition into a doctor and into
adulthood. Guevara is a withdrawn, internal type who exudes
intelligence and yet maintains a youthful awkwardness. His friend,
Alberto Granado (Rodrigo De La Serna), is just along for the ride
hoping to get drunk and get laid. He is the polar opposite of
Ernesto; he is loud, obnoxious, and wild. But they share a passion
for medicine and helping others, and both have a youthful exuberance.
They set off on a
road trip that will take them through most of the country and take up
most of the year. When they first set off, the film focuses on their
hilarious problems with their testy motorcycle and their search for
women and good times. The motorcycle ends up being a third character
through the beginning of the film. As the film progresses, their
misadventures get much more serious, they end up almost freezing to
death and almost dying of starvation (because they set off without
much money and not knowing exactly where they are going). Their
journey takes them through many different towns and villages where
they meet (and, on occasion, scam) the locals and begin to see how
most of the country lives and thinks. They see the injustices and
social problems running rampant through the country. Their journey’s
last stop is a leper colony in Peru
where they are to work as doctors and where they both develop an
intense compassion for those who can’t help themselves. This journey
is what transforms Guevara into the man he will become, the
revolutionary immortalized in the famous T-shirt. And yet with all of
these self-discoveries and social issues at the heart of it, the film
is really about the joys of youthful friendship and the people,
places, and ideas that aide in the transition into adulthood.
CRITIQUE
The Motorcycle
Diaries
is a beautifully made film with two tremendous performances and a
captivating story (that is a bit too slow at times). The film is
mesmerizing through the first half as you are introduced to these two
fascinating characters as they begin their misadventures. The tone is
light and funny, and it draws you in quickly to these characters and
this adventure. The motorcycle is a constant comic gem and you truly
feel sadness when the bike breaks down for good halfway through. The
later stages of the film are its weakest because the focus shifts from
this engaging, fun and riveting adventure between two friends that you
grow to care for to social injustice, political commentary and this
making of a revolutionary. It’s a true story so there is the added
weight of understanding who this character will become which keeps
your interest through these weaker sections.
The two
performances at the core of the film are just astounding. Gael Garcia
Bernal beautifully underplays the character with subtle grace,
strength and care. He is at his best in the scenes where he must use
charm and charisma to help the journey continue. The later, more
reflective scenes do not make use of his raw energy and personality.
This was one of the best performances of the year and he is an
emerging star, not just of Latin cinema. Rodrigo De La Serna is just
as great as the hilariously obnoxious Alberto. He is the perfect
comic anecdote to the film’s heavy themes (and later tone). Serna and
Bernal work amazingly well together, their scenes throughout the first
section of the film show a perfect comic pairing that bounce off each
other like comic veterans. And their palpable chemistry builds up
emotionally throughout which provides for a powerful impact at the
climax of the film.
The Motorcycle
Diaries
is beautifully directed by Walter Salles, who delicately balances the
film’s weighty themes with this lighthearted buddy road trip. He also
captures the raw beauty of South America; the film is blanketed in
beautiful imagery and landscapes. The screenplay by Jose Rivera is
also quite good, especially the first half of the film. The dialogue
is fresh, funny, and true to the characters. The script does feel a
bit forced and preachy towards the latter part of the film though.
The film is really
about this friendship, it’s a buddy film, and how the transition into
adulthood can change friendships. In that respect, the film is a
success. Where the film struggles is in its latter stages where the
focus dramatically changes and it focuses on social issues and the
drivers behind Guevara becoming what he is destined to. The tone
changes and the plot slows, although not to the point where it’s
unbearable or of poor quality. Its just that most of the film is
spent on this fun filled, interesting adventure between these two
riveting characters and once they arrive at the last destination and
the friendship takes a back seat to other issues it feels like a let
down.
THE VIDEO
The quality of the
video transfer is terrific, the magnificent beauty of South America is
vibrantly displayed with crisp and clear picture quality.
THE AUDIO
The audio is
presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and it is outstandingly clear and
crisp; the balances sound great. The dialogue is clear and the
outstanding score sounds brilliant.
THE EXTRAS
A Moment with
Alberto Granado – This is a feature interview with the real life Alberto Granado
reflecting on his real trip with Guevara that is told in the film. He
discusses how this trip motivated and formed who Guevara became and he
also talks about South America, the
places they went and the beauty of the country. This is an
interesting and riveting interview; I love it when filmmakers who make
films about real life characters include extras like these with the
real people being portrayed. And Granado seems to be a very charming
and intelligent guy.
Deleted Scenes
– These are three solid deleted scenes (not just extensions of other
scenes) showing Granado and Guevara trying to score some wine, running
into a very bad driver, and more at the leper colony. These are
actually three great scenes which I was surprised they were cut,
although the running time was probably just getting too long and
Salles had to make this difficult decision.
The Making of
The Motorcycle Diaries – This is a making of documentary with interviews from the
two stars, the director, executive producer Robert Redford (a welcome
surprise), and others involved in the film. They discuss the
difficulties of getting this film financed, produced, and filmed.
They talk about the themes of the film and about Guevara’s
transformation. The documentary is excellent, it includes these
riveting and informative interviews mixed with behind the scenes
footage and it even includes interviews with Guevara’s daughter and
Alberto Granado. Just a perfectly well rounded making of documentary,
one of the best ones I’ve seen in a while.
A Moment with Gael
Garcia Bernal – This is a Telemundo interview with Bernal speaking about
his acting career, his influences and his struggles and successes so
far in his very young career. Bernal is a very charming and engaging
actor and this is a very interesting interview.
‘Toma Uno’ Take One
with Gael Garcia Bernal – This is another interview with Bernal speaking about his
dream role and the difficulties and successes he had in portraying
this icon. This interview is mostly focused on the film, as the other
is more about his career in general.
Music of the Road:
An Interview with Composer Gustavo Santaolalla
– Santaolalla discusses the score of the film and how he was
influenced in making it. The score is terrific and this is a short
but interesting interview.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Motorcycle
Diaries
is a riveting cross-country adventure about two great friends and
their struggles to find themselves and understand their country and
its people. The film is at its best when its focus is on the
friendship and their interesting adventure; it loses steam when the
focus shifts to social issues. The two lead performances are
brilliant and the direction is first rate.
