Che: Part 1

A film about Che could easily be terrible. The image of the Latin American revolutionary is as ubiquitous as those of Jesus Christ, Chairman Mao, and Colonel Sanders, although the only thing it really represents these days is the power of commercialism to milk anything, no matter what its origin. Thankfully, perhaps because his likeness is so saturated and separated from its namesake, it is now possible to look back and see where that image came from. The first half of Steven Soderberg's historical film, which follows Che's involvement in the Cuban revolution (beginning with his fateful meeting of Castro) avoids the traps of glorification and glamorization. It is refreshingly subdued and un-Hollywood. The film's rhythm is as quick and syncopated as the snippets of Cuban drum beats that occasionally appear, never lingering long enough on the face of Che or personal facts for him to bloat into a vague symbol - in fact, the camera tends to keep a distance from him, careful to allow his surroundings and companions to play their parts. In a sense it is not so much about one man as the movement in which he played a vital role. The story of the revolution is interspersed with flash-forwards to Che's 1964 visit to New York as Cuban delegate to the United Nations; his speeches at that meeting, along with an interview, reveal his already gaining celebrity (if not notoriety) and provide framing insights into the questionable rationale of violent revolution.

FUN TO WATCH
4 out of 5
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Plot: 4
Imagery: 4
Originality: 4
Soundtrack: 4
Overall: 4