CHE UNDER THE KNIFE

by PRAVAT J GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 159 (March 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Demián Bichir, Rodrigo Santoro, Catalina Sandino Moreno, María D. Sosa, Carlos Bardem, Joaquim De Almeida, Eduard Fernández, Marc-André Grondin, Lou Diamond Philips, Franka Potente
Running Time: 268 minutes (total time of Part One and Two)
Rating: 3.5/5

Director Steven Soderbergh does it again! Starring Benicio Del Toro as the revolutionary Che, this movie might not be everybody's cup of tea, but is definitely worth a watch. The movie is, of course, about the 1960s revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara. Del Toro takes on the insurgent garb and blades his way through jungles and mud as he pulls out all stops in portraying the revolutionary icon. Del Toro is easily the best part of the movie as he gets into the character.

Soderbergh's not-so-commercial movie, Che, is split in two parts totaling 268 minutes. Part One depicts Che's involvement with Fidel Castro in overthrowing Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by concentrating on the popular grassroots campaign. Part Two is all about Guevara's final revolutionary race, the failed uprising in Bolivia, the contrast of the Cuban campaign, where the Bolivian peasants abandoned and betrayed him to the Bolivian army. Che is then hunted down like a dog and murdered.

Even though the movie is directed in perfect coherence, the story completely ignores Che's personal life. No information is given about his marriages, his family and what eventually shaped him as a person. Besides this, everything else about Che is presented in such a matter-of-fact way that you will appreciate Soderbergh's attempt at objectivity. Though visually pleasing, the film is disappointingly shallow and, at places, almost too easily reveals its artificiality.

As violence and gunfire are plenty, I recommend that you don't watch the two parts back-to-back. Both parts have the same feel so it comes as a disappointment for those who are expecting something different in Part Two. Take a break for a day or two and then watch the sequel.

Undoubtedly, the characters are perfectly screened but if you don't know your geography, you might have to refer to a map as the locations aren't clear in the film. All things considered, the movie is a good watch. It portrays the life of the revolutionary hero flawlessly–so no complains there. But do take the suggestions given above and enhance the experience of watching Che.