123
7th September 2010  
 
   Search site for
spacer
Dir: Steven Soderbergh, 2009, France/Spain/USA/Cuba, 131 mins
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Franka Potente Demián Bichir, Rodrigo Santoro
Reviewed by: Karla Williams
Official website: http://www.che-movie.co.uk/
CHE: PART TWO - 15
View Trailer:

 

Ernesto 'Che' Guevara is one of the most recognisable faces of the 20th Century. His long wavy hair, beret and full black beard can be seen the world over as his distinct and unique image has been applied to any and everything making his look a symbol for everyone who recognises the rebel within. But how many people know exactly what he did or what he stood for or why the name Guevara has become synonymous with revolution. 

Che Part Two aims to fix said problem and as the second part of Soderbergh's four hour epic, it finds Guevara at the height of his fame after the Cuban Revolution. After defeating the corrupt dictator Fulgencio Batista, Che disappears only to re-emerge incognito in Bolivia, where he organises a small group of Cuban comrades and Bolivian recruits to start the great Latin American Revolution. Following their efforts the film captures the many months Guevara spent living and fighting in the forests and his code of honour and conduct that made him the symbol of idealism and heroism before he was eventually captured, shot and killed.

Che Part Two is unlike your usual Hollywood biography in that while it portrays its subject, it does so without glamorising but rather takes an unassuming and modest approach. The film is cleverly and authentically observed which is partially due to the use of hand held cameras and tighter shots than Part One that reinforce its unadorned and unembellished feel. While the film contains scenes of action and emotion they are sufficiently stated without being milked and though the pace of the film is slow it remains consistently engaging and interesting to watch.

Del Toro is the picture of Ernesto Guevara; remaining charming, humbled and fiercely principled he is utterly believable as the revolutionary leader. But while his portrayal of the man is faultless the depths to Guevara's character are a little disappointing and it's a shame we don't get further insights into the inner workings of the great leaders mind. For example during the films 2 hours and 11 minutes we see only one glimpse of vulnerability during a brief asthma attack.

Soderbergh has created a well made and intriguing biopic and while certain parts of the Guevara's life have been omitted (namely the part he played in the many violent executions that took place in the time between the two films) Che Part Two accurately captures the leader in his final furlong as the existence he built around him slowly begins to crumble.