So...Che. Everybody has an opinion about the man, but as a cinematic work apart from politics, I rather liked this work. This film is in two parts, the first revolving around events leading up to the Movimiento 26, de Julio's successful revolution in Cuba, the ousting of Fulgencio Batista and the ascension to power of Fidel Castro. The second part deals with his failed revolution in Bolivia and events leading up to his death at the hands of a CIA-sponsored death squad.
Benecio del Torro turns in a very strong performance, one that I think deserved more recognition than it got. I captures the charisma and charm of Che, but also his radical devotion to his cause over and above everything else, including sound judgment. The second part is a 2-hour study of his flaws in fact, as one grinding failure or betrayal follows another until the brutal, inevitable climax. The film finishes with his body strapped to a helicopter skid, just like in real life, and suggests that Che always knew that his path lead only to death.
Anyhow, I realize many of you are reactionary pigs but as a film I think this one is very even handed. The first two hours are used to draw the attractive portrait of Che, the second part to portray the flawed and ultimately unsuccessful, perhaps fanatical side of the man.
Good movie.
=D> =D> =D>
