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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
The Motorcycle Diaries
the one line review:
real life long way round
the overview
This is what Easy Rider should have been.
the plot:
The Motorcycle Diaries is an adaptation of a journal written by Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Bernal) when he was 23 years old. He and his friend, Alberto Granado (de la Serna) are typical college students who, seeking fun and adventure before graduation, decide to travel across Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela in order to do their medical residency at a leper colony. Beginning as a buddy/road movie in which Ernesto and Alberto are looking for chicks, fun and adventure before they must grow up and have a more serious life. As is said in the film itself, it's about "two lives running parallel for a while." The two best friends start off with the same goals and aspirations, but by the time the film is over, it's clear what each man's destiny has become.
the verdict:
I tried reading the book, but it was hard going - mainly because it was difficult to follow. And that's saying something because it's barely 200 pages long. I missed some key bits which in the film are easy, because they're right there on screen for you.
There are very few films that successfully combine a serious topic with a jovial outlook - that is to say that the theme of the book is deadly serious - extreme poverty in South America in the early 20th century - but the filmmakers manage to shed a new light on it which is actively enjoyable.
Whether this is faithful to the original, I have no idea. Whether the diaries of Ernesto "Che" Guevara were ever like this, I don't know. But it paints a picture of the man who grew up to be one of the most influential members of the Cuban revolution, instrumental in the overthrow of the Batista government.
If you're the type of person who intuitively wants to be out on the road, experiencing new things, facing new challenges, then this film is for you. You get a wonderful journey in the life of two young, cocky, men who have a zest for life and a passion to see South America.
Whether South America would change you in quite the same way as it changed Guevara is really only something you could decide by doing it. But if nothing more, this film really inspires you to get off your arse and do something useful with your life.
Watch it.
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