pat loughery

Last night Shannon and I went on a date. We drove into the Big City, ate some Italian food and went to a showing of The Motorcycle Diaries, the film adaptation of Ernesto (later “Che”) Guevarra’s book written about his journey through South America with his friend Alberto on motorcycle, boat and foot.

The film has gotten mixed, but generally positive reviews. Rolling Stone gushed over it. Roger Ebert liked it, but offers sharp criticism at those who would romanticize Che’s politics. In fact, how much reviewers liked the film seems to depend largely upon how much they like Che’s later politics.

The pair begin the journey on a youthful adventure, and at the end of this part of the story, have come into direct contact with poverty, injustice, and the simple needs of humanity. The extended scenes in a leper colony at San Pablo are humble and powerful. You’ll understand what touched Guevarra and politicized him, even if you disagree with the outcome of that understanding.

It’s a beautiful film, shot on location in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela… the scene at Macchu Piccu was mindblowing in grandeur. I’ve seen pictures of that place, but in film – when the scale moves and changes and you get a 3-d sense of place – it becomes overwhelming.

It’s easy to see Christ’s compassion for the poor and sick as you watch this film, even if the film itself takes a much different tack.

Highly recommended. Both of Pat’s thumbs up.