Steven Soderburgh’s epic visual history book “Che” is an extensive look at the revolutionary life of Argentine-born, Cuban patriot Ernesto “Che” Guevara, but fails to make us truly feel for the iconic figure.
At nearly five hours in length, the motion picture thoroughly recounts the road to revolution taken by Che and his comrades, as well as the martyrdom ultimately suffered.
We are introduced to a very human Che, gasping for air and chest wheezing with each breath of air mustered into his asthmatic lungs as he and his troop of guerillas make their way through the Sierra Maestra Mountain Range of Cuba. Benicio del Toro is utterly unquestionable as Guevara, with looks to deceive and equipped with a convincing Argentinean accent. Throughout the film he carries the authority, charisma and fire that Che carried throughout his life.
Soderburgh executes the camera work and plot of the story marvelously with simple-hand held shots on course film that capture the grittiness of jungle life, the gore of war and the plight of the Cuban and Bolivian people. He also includes some scenes loaded with metaphorical significance, giving us, for example, witness of an ill and frustrated Guevara fighting with his unwilling, malnourished pack-horse as the unwanted guerillas trudge through the mountains of Bolivia in search of support for their cause.
However, one thing lacking in the 296 minutes of film is a decent glimpse into the mind of Che, a sense of his insecurities, his inner-struggles and doubts. This seems to shape the film to be more of a visual history book than a traditional cinematic experience, despite the superb acting, classical score and near-extinct tradition of the intermission.
But perhaps this was Soderburgh’s intention; to give a “these are the facts” telling of Guevara’s later years of life and let the audience decide on who he was based on what the man did in his life, not the legend we have made him today.
If you are truly interested in Che Guevara, Latin America or revolutions, then this nearly five-hour film is your fight. If not, I don’t think you’ll want to be a part.
Photo credit: Teresa Isasi. An IFC Films
