Che: The Argentine and Guerrilla
DIR: Steven Soderbergh • WRI: Peter Buchman, Benjamin A. van der Veen • PRO: Laura Bickford, Steven Soderbergh, Benicio Del Toro • DOP: Steven Soderbergh • ED: Pablo Zumárraga • DES Antxón Gómez, Philip Messina • CAST: Benicio Del Toro, Demián Bichir, Santiago Cabrera, Elvira Mínguez, Jorge Perugorría, Edgar Ramírez, Víctor Rasuk, Armando Riesco, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Rodrigo Santoro, Unax Ugaldep, Yul Vázquez, Vladimir Cruz

Steven Soderbergh’s epic biopic is drawn out over two films, the first of which is The Argentine. Che will of course entice scores to the cinema because of his revolutionary infamy but I think college students proudly sporting his poster on their walls will be slightly disappointed by this one.

The Argentine splits screen time between Guevara in the Cuban jungle descending on Havana and his US interviews and addresses. Whilst in the jungle he becomes doctor, leader, comrade and friend and although masterfully acted by Benicio Del Toro, the script doesn’t allow insight into his multi-faceted character. Soderbergh intended for this detachment between the viewer and Che to recreate the atmosphere felt by those working and fighting with him. We only really see an intimacy with him and his patients; he is also close and comforting to the peasants he helps along his way. There is a romanticised notion of Guevara as the educator and healer, which seems to override other elements of his personality and although this is not unfounded, it does feel slightly overplayed.

The lengthiness of the films does enable insight into the strategic but mundane nature of guerrilla warfare, but after four hours, it seems something of an endurance test. These long treks through the jungle are interspersed with exchanges of gunfire but the action is short lived and only cool the temperature of what becomes jungle fever. The breaks we get showing Guevara’s interviews in New York reinforce why he is the revolutionary pin-up. We recognise the fat cigar, the military boots and the relaxed smile. The style is detached, it is composed of middle and long shots that fortify Soderbergh’s intention to relay the distant nature of Che recounted through his memoirs.

While Guevara’s Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War provides a more celebratory close for The Argentine, the first of these two films, the second, Guerrilla, taken from The Bolivian Diary is far gloomier. The colour of Che’s environment begins to grey and become less lush in conjunction with his fading health and the health of the revolution. The interspersed comic relief of the first film wanes and the intensity of the frustration felt by Che and his comrades heightens. The demise of the movement in Bolivia seems foreseen by Fidel Castro, craftily played by Demián Bichir, but losing this pawn may save the king. We can only have empathy for the physical strength and strength of will that fades away before our eyes and the slow shrinking of Che under the lens.

Although beautifully shot by Soderbergh himself, too often there are scenes that seem to have the sole purpose of creating a snapshot similar to the iconic imagery with which we’re already familiar. The cameo of Matt Damon snaps you out of a creatively directed film, which to that point fooled you into thinking these were not actors playing a role. Although no fault of Damon’s, it would have been better to leave the instantly recognisable Hollywood star out of it.

The problem with shooting such a highly stylised film with an iconic revolutionary figure like Guevara is that while attempting to avoid explaining the politics it is often that what is left unsaid that speaks for itself. Che should be watched with the intention of appreciating Soderbergh’s intelligent filmic language. Any insight into the enigma of Guevara is an added bonus. It is also a good starting point from which to explore the history that threw the passions of this man into the spotlight.

Beatrice Ní Bhroin
(Read biog here)

Rated 12A (see IFCO website for details)
Che: Part One is released on 2nd January 2009
Che: Part One – Official website

Rated 15A (see IFCO website for details)
Che: Part Two is released on... TBC
Che: Part Two – Official website