Very rarely does one specific actor appear destined to play a specific character. Such is the case of Benicio del Toro's performace as Che Guevara in Steven Soderbergh's recent historical epic Che.
Playing as something more than a film, Che is a testament of labor, passion, devotion and sincerity; a truly rare piece of art that in many ways takes a lifetime of preparation to achieve.
The image of the Che Guevara is one of the most recognizable throughout the world, but few people know much about the life of the man whose face occupies millions of T-shirts. This film will do nothing less than inform.
Though Che is technically two films in one (The Argentine and Guerrilla), the together the parts create a solid portrayal of the Argentinean-born revolutionary.
The Argentine ("Che: Part I") is filled with intensity and emotion, jumping around chronologically in its storytelling. Though it may be confusing for some, it demonstrates Soderbergh's respect for his audience.
Though the first film centers on the Cuban revolution, Soderbergh interweaves recreated footage of post-revolutionary Guevara (del Toro, Things We Lost in the Fire) in an attempt to capture his persona and ideology.
Beginning with dramatic black and white footage of Guevara smoking a cigar in a 1964 interview conducted in New York City, Soderbergh uses extreme close up to create an intense mood that remains throughout the film.
It is here that Soderbergh's decision to film the epic using completely digital technology (Red One) is first appreciated. The clarity of the visuals and sound plays a substantial role in maintaining the power and historical realism of the story, making the film unlike any other in this respect.
Though Soderbergh chose to omit any real details of Guevara's personal life, it doesn't detract from the true nature and character of Guevara, who devoted his life to his ideology.
It is del Toro's performance that undoubtedly saves the first part of the film from simply being a reenactment of historical events. The unbelievable intensity of del Toro's acting and his commitment in embodying Guevara is nothing short of genius.
As a whole, however, The Argentine is a bit boring. Though the cinematography is beautiful, one does not leave the film feeling satisfied.
Guerrilla ("Che: Part 2") skips ahead into the years following the revolution. In this film Soderbergh focuses on Guevara's part in the Bolivian Revolution. After leaving Cuba and renouncing his Cuban citizenship, Guevara decided to focus on his desire to spread revolution and Marxism throughout South America.
Though The Argentine touched upon a greater historical event, it is Guerrilla that exemplifies Che's unwavering convictions, passion and courage. Some of the most intense moments in the film center on Che's devotion to his men while suffering near-deadly asthma attacks.
Though Guevara suffered from chronic asthma his entire life, he did not let his own health compromise the freedom and wellbeing of his men and fellow Latin Americans.
Guerilla is undoubtedly the more moving of the two films. Filmed using handheld digital technology, the film creates an unobtrusive documentary feel, the viewer feeling as though they are there with Guevara. As the film follows the small group of guerrillas throughout Bolivia viewers understand their struggle on a personal level far beyond the capabilities of standard cinema.
After watching the hopeful and triumphant first part of the film, Guerilla is a rather depressing turn. But it is from this anguish that one learns to truly appreciate Guevara as a human being and not simply an icon.
Though Soderbergh's Che is not the first film about Guevara and will more than likely not be the last, it is the last word on the subject.
The two-part Spanish film has finally found a US distributor (IFC) and should be in theaters by the end of this year.
