Che: Part Two

Benicio Del Toro continues with his role as Ernesto 'Che' Guevara 10 years on from Che: Part One. Having resigned from the Cuban Government in 1965, Che plans to bring revolution to the world.

Che travels to the heart of Latin America, Bolivia, to bring his revolutionary view to the people against the Ballista Government Moving. Incognito for two years, Che starts to recruit the locals and forms the National Liberation Army of Bolivia and trains on land purchased by Fidel Castro (Bichir).

The guerrillas start off well, beating the poorly-trained and -equipped Bolivian Army in the mountainous Camiri region. However, relationships with the locals and the National Communist party are poor or non-existent and the revolution does not swell as Che had planned. Eventual losses for the guerrillas put them on the back foot and an inevitable fall from glory begins. As if things couldn't get worse for him, the Americans send in the CIA's commandos to track down Guevara and train the Bolivian special forces.

We watch as the guerrillas pull back into the jungle, suffering further losses whilst battling hunger and exhaustion. Che also has to contend with his failing health and the silent moments in the film offer reflection on the changing events and the realisation that the revolution is falling apart until Guevara's eventual capture and execution.

Del Toro has been applauded, and rightfully so, for his impressive performance as Che and showing the glimpses of the cruelty, intelligence, and charisma that has made Che's image today.

Steven Soderbergh (Oscar winner) has created a movie that has a different feel compared to Che: Part One and this reflects the change in situation for Guevara. Che: Part Two continues to offer surprises, frustration and fascination. Go see!

Stewart Thomson