The first ten minutes of Steven Soderbergh’s two-part epic are enough to conclude that Benicio del Toro has given one of the best performances of his career.

An Overview

Che is an examination of Ernesto Che Guevara, first as the revolutionary in Cuba and then as the guerilla in Bolivia. Soderbergh isn’t concerned with a defense of his subject. His purpose is simply to inform audiences about two historical events. Though the film presents Che in a primarily positive light, it’s not designed as a rebuttal towards those who condemn him, Fidel Castro, and their communist associations. Rather, it’s a showcase of what Che Guevera believed he was doing at the time.

Critics and Conventional Expectations

The problems critics are having with Che revolve around the misperception that there’s no emotion in the piece. Audiences have grown accustomed to conventional biopics with performances that are more imitation and over-dramatization than anything remotely genuine. Che is a subtle film, and as such may be overlooked by an audience that has no interest in careful observation. Biopics like Walk the Line bombard the audience with the emotion they’re supposed to feel, making a film like Che appear flat in comparison when it is anything but.

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly said his problem with the second part of Che is that it’s essentially the same as the first part. This criticism illustrates the divide between those who are simply watching the film, and those who are truly paying attention.

A Dissection of Che’s two-part structure

The similarity between parts one and two is an intentional structural choice and the differences are what is most important, the most obvious being the outcome of the events. The Cuban revolution prevails, the Bolivian attempt fails and ends in Che’s death.

In part one, the color is highly saturated, the camera steady, and the revolutionaries more experienced and educated and perhaps more dedicated. In part two, the color is drained and the camera work is hand-held, and the revolutionaries more vocally disgruntled. Though the U.S. ignores Che at the U.N. conference in part one, in part two the U.S. government is actively supporting his capture and assassination. Che is considered an international danger, and in Bolivia must conceal his identity. He does not have the experience backing him that he did in Cuba, nor does he have the cooperation of Bolivia's Communist party. In fact, the Communist Party in Bolivia actively tries to dissuade supporters. The lack of support from other parties in the country most certainly led to his failure.

The Performance

Benicio del Toro cements his status as one of the greatest actors working today with a performance that is quiet and charismatic. Soderbergh and del Toro focus on Che’s drive to help all people, regardless of the cost to himself. In several scenes Che is slowed down by his asthma, suffering attacks while hiking through the jungle in Cuba and Bolivia. That this inability to breathe properly did nothing to keep him from the front lines is certainly a credit to his determination.

An Artistic Achievement Worth Seeing in Full

Che is a film worth seeing. Not for controversy, and not for any reasons of political conversion, but as an informative piece of history and a great artistic effort. It is unfortunate that the film will be released in separate parts, as the dual presentation is essential to its success. The current Road Show exhibition touring the country is the ideal viewing experience. With time, Che will be properly appreciated.