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Released 1st January 2009
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Politician, author, physician, military theorist and guerrilla leader, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara is a worldwide, and often misunderstood symbol of revolution and anti-establishment. Ocean’s Thirteen director Steven Soderbergh and Che executive producer and star Benicio Del Toro bring the first part of this epic biopic to the screen in January 2009. First impressions are highly favourable. Part 1 is an insightful, compassionate and moving piece of film-making that rather too generously, at times, depicts the beginnings and makings of the highly influential leader.
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The ever-astounding Del Toro as Che is both inspiring to watch and considerate in the lead. There are no prolonged moments of self-grandeur to Del Toro’s portrayal, only subtler, egoistical ones to show Che as a sickly intellectual from a comfortable background who believed in and acted on a cause: To rid the world of injustice and (American) imperialism - a belief that many still hold true today. Che’s commendable sense of right and wrong is strongly evident in Del Toro’s recreation of the harsh discipline scenes, right down to persuading younger militants to see sense, after they steal a car. Del Toro, as always, embodies his characters, including Che, showing the Oscar-winning star’s unfaltering commitment to the part, and possible future nomination at the Awards. Del Toro is both powerful and foreboding on-screen, as well as a tender and sympathetic. This is one role he was absolutely made for.
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Equally, praise should go to Demián Bichir for his chillingly convincing portrayal of Fidel Castro in both mannerisms and presence. Bichir has evidently studied the former Cuban prime minister in great detail to give such a remarkable performance. In addition, setting the film in context is facilitated by old news footage, including Che’s 1964 visit to the States and speech in the United Nations that is masterfully blended with current footage that has been ‘dated’ in the production process. There are moments when distinguishing between old and new reel is nigh impossible - a credit to the technical aspects of this film.
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Transfixing in every way, the first part of the story captivates and holds the interest for the sequel to follow in February 2009, regardless of some overly-lengthy scenes, in part, because of the magnetic presence of Del Toro.
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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The first film in Steven Soderbergh’s two-part Che Guevara epic tracks the charismatic revolutionary as he joins Fidel Castro’s band of Cuban exiles and journeys to the island on a leaky boat in 1956. From these humble beginnings, the small team of rebels mobilise popular support and recruit an army which will ultimately topple the U.S.-friendly regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista, while Che himself undergoes a transformation from a simple doctor to one of the most iconic political figures of the modern age.
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A labour of love for Academy Award-winning director, Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Ocean’s Thirteen) Che features a career defining performance from Benicio Del Toro in the title role which won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival 2008.
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Film Facts
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Official UK site: http://www.che-movie.co.uk/
UK Release Date: 1st January 2009
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writers: Peter Buchman, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
Cast: Benicio Del Toro (‘Ernesto Che Guevara’), Julia Ormond (’Lisa Howard’), Demián Bichir (‘Fidel Castro’), Rodrigo Santoro (‘Raúl Castro’)
UK Distributor: Optimum Releasing
Certificate: 15
Run-time: TBC
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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THREE CLIPS:
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Director Steven Soderbergh Interview:
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