I know the U.S. is swinging left, but c'mon!
Che: Special Roadshow Edition
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
IFC Films/E1 Entertainment, 2008
By Sean Kelly
After all my talk about the four hour, seventeen minute length of the film, I thought that I would put together the courage and check out the entire “Special Road Show” edition of Steven Soderbergh’s two-part biopic about Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
I’m sure there are many people, myself included, that only really knew Che Guevara as a face plastered on t-shirts. I’m sure one of the goals of this film is to try to provide a better understanding about who exactly Che was. You might recall that this is actually the second major film about Che to be released this decade, with 2004’s The Motorcycle Diaries detailing Che’s earlier life. Che is almost a spiritual sequel to that film (even though it’s by a different director and studio).
Che is played by Benicio Del Toro, who was previously directed by Soderbergh in a Best Supporting Actor role in Traffic. Del Toro is also pretty much the only name actor to appear in this film, which is made up of mostly Spanish-speaking actors; it also has appearances by Julia Ormond, Franka Potente, and Matt Damon (the credits booklet I received credits Damon, but I never caught his appearance).
The Roadshow Edition of the film shows both parts (minus any credits), with a short intermission in between. Both parts feature an independent story, and it would certainly be possible to watch a single part as its own entity. Each part also contains unique cinematography that is reminiscent of the varied shooting styles shown in Traffic.
Che: Part One is about Che joining Fidel Castro in the Cuban Revolution. This is the superior of the two parts, and if you watch just one part, make it the first. This part goes back and forth from Che being interviewed in 1964 to the action of the Revolution during 1957. The interview footage (along with Che’s visit to the UN the same year) is shot in grainy black and white and serves as the narration for this part. The Cuban scenes, conversely, are shot in vibrant colours, which relay the hope that was underlying the revolution. Though Che is given a sympathetic portrayal, the film does not hide the fact that Che was a man willing to kill anyone for his cause.
When we move onto Che: Part Two, the cinematography has changed to a more faded, sombre look (as well as a wider aspect ratio). This part takes place a few years after the events in part one. Che has moved out of the public eye, and he heads, under alias, to Bolivia where he tries to begin another (ultimately futile) revolution. This part has a much more low-key approach than the first part, with much of the attention focused on Che and his group of guerrillas. This part devotes screen time to the leaders of Bolivia and their efforts to stop Che, which was hardly seen at all in the first part.
So, what are my final thoughts on my experience with Che? I have to say that, even though I spent an entire afternoon watching it, I am glad that I saw the whole package at once since that is best way to have the full experience. Che: Part One is stronger as a stand-alone film and the sombre, low-key feeling of Che: Part Two made for a slightly duller, though still intriguing, film. Either way, Del Toro’s performance was excellent in both parts, and the film was worth seeing if only for that.
