Che Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Che
Year: 2008
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

Born in Sante Fe, Argentina on June 14, 1928 Che Guevara has become a North American marketing icon. His face is plastered on posters, pins, magazines and t-shirts. There are a lot of people who own a Che T-Shirt but do not know who the man was or what he stood for. The man today represents a generic counter-culture symbol. Director Steven Soderbergh is a man who simply wasn't satisfied with our modern view of Che, and sought to re-create his life through the art of film.

The film plays in two parts, named "The Argentine" and "Guerrilla." These parts attempt to re-create Che's history; from the mobilization of Fidel Castro's army, who desire to topple the Regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista to his ill-fate guerrilla war in Bolivia.

Soderbergh's depiction of the Marxist-Leninist Revoluutionary leader edges on the border between fantasy and reality. Che is a natural leader of men; strong willed, confident and angry at injustice. He identifies with the peasants, rather than the ruling class, demoralized by the currrent regime. Of course he's not perfect; he seems rather terrible at building personal relationships and he's not the greatest military strategist. His imperfection makes the battle scenes engaging to watch, because there are no clear-cut outcomes. 

Unfortunately the film has some faults; little attention is given to the relationship between Che and Fidel Castro. We also do not hear discussion of his theories and ideologies, which would make the picture all the more intriguing. It can also run a bit too long for some people's taste. Benicio Del Toro's performance is remarkable; he embodies both the personality and will of Che, capturing everything the leader was.

In conclusion, Che is an emotionally captivating epic which does not glorify the battle of a revolutionist, but rather shows how difficult, and sometimes unrewarding, they can be. The second half of the film is almost shot as a horror movie; "and then there were none". A Greek tragedy unfolds before our eyes, and we can't help but be moved. Praise it! 4/5