The Motorcycle Diaries

This was a great film and very eye opening. When I read before class the Che Guevara was part of the revolution with Castro I automatically assumed that he was a bad person. Instead we see a story of 2 men who started out on a mission and both made dramatic changes throughout the movie.

I feel there are so many points in this movie in which we see Ernesto's personality change and can see glimpses of what the future may hold for him. We see him go from being frank and straight forward like he was with the man with the tumor, into a man who can sweet talk his way through things. One of the big scenes I can see his personality change is when he is at the house with his girlfriend. He loved her so much and wanted with all his might to stay close to her, yet he was on a mission and stayed true to that mission. He ends up leaving her behind in hopes that she will wait for him. He started something and was destined to finish it. We can see a dramatic change in Ernesto when he runs into the couple in the desert. We see him start to realize the injustices in the world and how it has impacted everyone. He is willing to give up his blanket so the woman can be warm and we find out later in the movie that he even gives up his $15 dollars to them. He could have used that money so many other times in his journey, yet he felt this couple needed it more than he did.

When the men finally do end up in the leper colony we see a man who truly cares for people. He puts past him the fact that these sick people have leprosy and disobeys the rules by not wearing gloves and hugging and touching the people. He sees injustice in the fact that he was not served food at the colony because he did not attend mass, but then sees how caring people can be by risking themselves to bring him food. He truly changes while at the colony. He falls in love with these people and is truly amazed how the people embrace him like family. We see him truly upset about the fact that the sick were placed on their own island and he even swims across the river to be with them on his birthday. He realizes that his dream of being a doctor is no longer a reality and he is determined to fight the injustice in the world. He even expresses in his birthday speech that everyone should be able to live together and have the same rights.

In the end we see changes in both men. Mial is changed and is forever loyal to his good friend Fuser. What started out whole-hearted and funny ends up in a serious silence with two changed men on a mission to right the wrongs in the country. Che Guevara was a very influential man who only wanted justice for the impoverished people.