The Popkorn Junkie :: The Motorcycle Diaries

      And the award for sexiest man on the face of the planet goes to...Gael Garcia Bernal. That's right -- he is now officially the most attractive male specimen in current creation. Not to mention, he has pretty good taste when it comes to choosing projects. Thus far, at only 26-years-old, his resume includes the critical smashes: "Amores Perros", "Y Tu Mama Tambien", "The Crime of Father Amaro", and "Bad Education". Here, he tackles legendary revolutionary Che Guevara, a role he also took on in the 2001 mini-series entitled "Fidel". Though several films could be made about the life of Che Guevara, director Walter Salles has taken the job of directing Guevara's life before it was so high profile and glamorous -- a span of a few months chronicled in the book "The Motorcycle Diaries". What Salles has produced is one of the most incredible pieces of cinema of the entire year.

      Gael Garcia Bernal stars as Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, who would later go on to be known as Che. A medical student, Ernesto teams up with his cousin Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna), a biochemist, to travel across South America, a trip that will eventually take them through Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia. They start their journey on a rusted, beat up motorcycle known as 'the Mighty One'...this machine takes them a distance, but then dies and leaves them on foot for the remainder of their journeys. These journeys take them through some of the most desolate and impoverished portions of South America. They also spend much of their time volunteering at a leper colony, where they immediately make friends with the patients and doctors alike. By the end of the film, though nothing of great consequence in the physical sense has occurred, it is obvious how much has changed in terms of emotions and perspectives. We watch Ernesto begin using his incredible intelligence for good, and we watch Alberto turn from a horny, mildly psychotic bull-shitter to a responsible, fun loving adult. These changes are quite obvious, and they are certainly worth the two and a half hour running time.

      This film succeeds because it tells a story that is both interesting, entertaining, and fascinating. The life of Che Guevara is one that has been researched and celebrated for years and years. Here, we get to see the situations and circumstances that led him to become that face on all of those T-shirts you see. A lot of this success should be attributed to Gael Garcia Bernal, who delivers in a big way as Ernesto...he is youthful, energetic, and enthusiastic, but his eyes look much older. When we find out he is only twenty-three at the end of the film, we are amazed, because he seems so much older...wise beyond his years. And, Rodrigo de la Serna is phenomenal in his debut acting performance...it seems like he has been doing this for years. His comedy is perfectly timed, his emotions are genuine, and he is the emotional anchor of this film. I would have a difficult time imagining this film without Bernal or De La Serna as the two title characters.

      As for the technical aspects of this film, not a lot can be said other than 'wow'. The cinematography by Eric Gautier is the most beautiful I have seen all year long, and the haunting score from Jorge Drexler and Gustavo Santaolalla is the most incredible since, in my opinion, "Schindler's List". If the Academy Awards have any brains about them, "The Motorcycle Diaries" will be showered with technical awards, along with acting nominations and maybe even a much deserved Best Picture nomination. While watching this film, I got that distinct feeling that I was watching something so inspiring and so powerful that whatever film I see next might be at the unfortunate disadvantage of having to match up against such a cinematic powerhouse.

      "The Motorcycle Diaries" is one of the best films of the year, if not the very best -- I am still coming to an ultimate decision on that. Gael Garcia Bernal is one of the brightest new stars in film, and Rodrigo de la Serna is well on his way to joining him. The direction is nearly flawless, the film is technically proficient, and everything just seems to click. I recommend that all movie lovers check this one out, along with all you girls who join me in my belief that Bernal is the sexiest man alive. Neither groups will be disappointed. And, yes, I did notice that someone in the theatre was wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt, a few rows down from me. Part of me wanted to leave the theatre and go buy one myself. I did not go that far, but don't be surprised if you don't see Bernal's face on a pair of my boxer shorts sometime in the near future.

-- Billy Ray ( 4 out of 4 pops )

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