In the hands of the right director, with a compelling narrative and the artistry to use all the tools at his disposal, I wouldn’t be put off by the length or by the subject’s lack of humanity. In Raging Bull, remember, Scorsese got us to sit 128 minutes with a man we wouldn’t want in our real-life company for more than 10 seconds. Granted, it’s twice as long, but can Soderbergh’s Che be any more repugnant than Jake LaMotta?
I saw the film at TIFF this September and it’s not that Del Toro’s Che is in anyway a repugnant character, it’s simply that he is a terribly passive protagonist throughout the full four hours. He has a few incredible moments, but it’s not really a showy role by any means.
Is it worth our time, then, Y.?
From a technical standpoint — the HD really threw me for a loop, I was hoping for something decent from the RED camera, but it looked just as sorry as every other attempt at usurping film….
Truthfully, I still have somewhat mixed feelings overall. The first half (or The Argentine) worked much better than the second (Guerilla), for me, nonetheless, it was quite the tour de force and worth seeing at least once. I do plan on checking it out again when it makes it way into theatres.
So it sounds like the trailer is a little deceiving, right Y.? Because I was under the impression the film was going to be centered around Del Toro’s performance. Is there a strong cast ensemble? (like the Castro brothers?)
Watching the trailer again this morning, I’m interested in seeing how the (seemingly) heavy use of handheld camera relates to energy of the plot. Obviously we’re in the middle of a revolution and that deserves some handheld (well a lot) but I hate it when it’s over done. Example of too much movement: the Bourne trilogy.
Not sure if would say the trailer is deceiving… nor would I say it is an ensemble picture, it is most definitely about Che, but much like Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now, he sits back a lot and lets things wash over him. He is often a viewer, rather than a participant.
A side note as well: I haven’t seen the film since early September, so my opinions are being filtered through the haze of memory. Just a reminder….
I’m just hoping the Soderbergh film gets enough publicity that Richard Fleischer’s 1969 CHE! will finaly get a release on DVD. Omar Sharif as Che? Jack Pallance as Fidel Castro? Now that’s something worth seeing!
Well, I don’t know, i haven’t sen the che trailer. Is it like 8 minutes long?
Che! with Omar Sharif is a horrible film. The definition of Hollywood white-washing an important aspect of world history for mass consumption. Sharif and Pallance were cast specifically because the studio wanted absolutely no one of Latin-American descent starring in the film, due to the US’s relationship with Cuba and the Cold War.
Let’s call it… Brown Face acting. It might be worth watching for it’s epic failure, but boy, it sure does fail.
I am REALLY psyched about this movie, Che is a hero of mine and I think the people involved are responsible enough… I mean they make good films, and it looks like they approached it from the proper angles, at least in my opinion. I hope it is more emotionally involving than Y. has said, I hope we really get to know Che and his opinions and views. I just couldn’t be more excited over this movie.
I know this is a explosive topic, derick, but I’m interested in what it is about Che that makes him a hero of yours. I can understand appreciating his “awakening”, in that it all began with him wanting to help the sick and poor people of Latin America, but once he met up with the Castro Bros. it pretty much all went downhill in terms of morality. This is my opinion, and I’d be interested in hearing yours.
I agree with you Brandon… Che is just a face or name used today to symbolize a number of things. Think of the popularity behind those damn shirts. I can see positive attributes in the young Che (The Motorcycle Diaries) that can make a great hero. But I’m pretty sure this Che will be different. And your history book can explain that…
I also agree with Brandon. His popularity has to do more with the taking of one photo of him which made him look pretty cool. I was in college during this period and that poster was everywhere. He did help overthrow a crooked regime in Cuba but only to replace it with another dictatorship. Doesn’t mean the movie might not be interesting. I don’t have to agree with someone to find them interesting.. Unfortunately they are dividing the movie into 2 for it’s showings here and you have to pay twice. Kinda pricey.
Moderated
Michel Kesterson
Anybody have some first reactions to the new ‘Che’ trailer?
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/che/
“November 26, 1956; led by Fidel Castro (Demian Bichir), a band of 80 rebels sails to Cuba. Among these young rebels is Argentine physician, Marxist, soldier, Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Benicio Del Toro). Nation-less, strapped for resources and fueled only by determination, the group engages in swift, bloody battle to free the Cuban people from the corrupt dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Che and his soldiers wrestle the nation?s resources and affection from Batista?s grasp. Though considered a hero by some, Che becomes a hugely controversial figure. At the height of his fame and power, he disappears. Entering South America incognito, Che recruits another band of guerilla fighters in the harsh Bolivian jungles. They embark upon a mission to spark revolution throughout Latin America.”
Judging by the trailer I say, “move over Daniel Day-Lewis… Benicio Del Toro is in town!” Yet his performance is getting mixed reviews. The BBC says the film lacks any new insight on the complex character. This leaves us with a 4 hour film with no one to root for. Perhaps that’s suppose to be a nod to realism, life is full of absurd choices from both individual men and governments. But why would I want to see a four hour film (two parts) if there’s no one to warm up to?
BBC- “In fact, the film often seems content to depict a catalogue of events from the revolutionary’s life, with precious little insight into the inner life of this complex character.”
Tom Wilson makes a great point by comparing Che to Jake LaMotta. This is full proof that modern film behaves like greek theater. It has the ability to show man’s fault so we don’t repeat. Can ‘Che’ be about morals?