CHE: Part One (2008)

RATING:	80%
FORMAT:	DVD

(www.rowthree.com)

[The Argentine]

Well-acted and directed, matter-of-fact biography of a political rebel.

Terrorism is largely explained here as a direct and inevitable response to the US imperialism that creates the very terrorism it claims to be fighting. This is Bin Laden with a more human face; arguing that those who do not wish for revolutions should endeavor to stop fomenting them. As the UK royal family have avoided a French-style republican revolution simply by appearing to change with the times.

(www.moma.org)

Aware of the permanent nature of all revolutions, if they are to be any way successful, this movie understands the difference between mere involvement and ful commitment. Like Nelson Mandela, this sober biopic is as committed to its subject as any true bringer of change in the real world of politics would be.

“Che” Guevara was a unique terrorist who transcended his ideology to become a popular Western icon as recognizable as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. His appeal coming from this very fact of his being a political activist who risked his life for his beliefs; proving both his commitment and his credentials for martyrdom. Despite his great popularity, it is hard to imagine Bin Laden having anything like the same cultural impact.

Benicio Del Toro is his usual brilliant self who, through his own charisma, gets across the sexual charisma that Guevara must have possessed to have been such an influential (&, indeed, the ultimate) freedom-fighter.

Where this film fails a little is in being a somewhat flat presentation of an interesting historical character: It is far too interested in historical authenticity at the expense of audience empathy. But, given the biopic’s traditional rejection of actual historical facts - especially the Hollywood variety - this is a price well-worth paying for an audience as committed to filmgoing as the hero here is to rebellion.

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