User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 78
  2. Negative: 12 out of 78

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  1. Albert
    Jun 9, 2006
    6
    Just a correct road movie, with beautiful photography and good acting. Unfortunately it lacks a litle bit more depth. Guevara's moral coming of age is determined by too few episodes. "How much unjustice", he claims when he's about to return to Argentina. And anyone who knows South America, and anyone who has read his diaries, knows he met quite a lot more reasons to become conscious about what was/is happening in the continent. Anyway. I would like to make just one coment to a couple of the site users : I don't know what you are taught in your History classes in the USA, but to consider Che Guevara a mass murderer reveals either an absolute abscence of knowledge on the subject, or an absolute abscence of knowledge of the english language. Expand
  2. BobE.
    Oct 6, 2004
    1
    Do the users who give this film a "10" have any criteria to judge this film on this level. It was dull, pointless, all eye-candy and little depth. If this pretension deserves a "10" what is there really left to acknowledge quality in other films?
  3. CarlosM.
    Oct 6, 2004
    10
    As i watched the movie and saw my family in it, the Ferreyrs's and my aunt Chichina i disagreed on how they were protrayed, however, the rest of the movie describes exactly how CHichina (my aunt) remmebred el "Che" and how importatn he was to her. The actors do an amazing job in the movie and many of you will not know and do not know, or hhave never known what el "che" is and was all about. Dont rate the movie because of its landscapes and acting, rate it for its emotinal content and its serious significance behind the journey of transformation. Expand
  4. BenA.
    Oct 8, 2004
    3
    A ludicrously rosy portrait of a future mass murderer. "Motorcycle Diaries" is as little in touch with reality as Che's blinkered devotees.
  5. JoelB.
    Jan 10, 2005
    8
    A beautiful, visceral movie, not about a revolutionary, but just about two young men exploring South America and their own hearts. It captured that feather-in-the-wind feeling of youth, when everything seems equally possible, but one does eventually land somewhere. The cinematography was incredible, not so much for the grand vistas as for the close-ups of human faces. And this seems true to Ernesto's gift -- at least during this time in his life, he really sees the people around him. Expand
  6. Dan
    Feb 15, 2005
    0
    Why do you misguided fools find so much heroism in a Communist genocidal maniac? Please folks, open your eyese and realize that Ernesto Guevara has done nothing to deserve your respect, let alone you love. He has erned my disgust and hatred. He should recieve more. This man is nothing but a Communist pig and men who made the film are Commy bastards too.
  7. WayneM.
    Mar 5, 2005
    10
    Beautiful life journey of a hero, good and bad.
  8. mikea
    Apr 10, 2005
    10
    This is just a movie about the life of a man who had a dream, but sadly because of the ignorance on the human race, the indigenous, the hispanics, blacks, and the less fortunate have been divided by virtual borders, and it's not fair. I do hope that one day all of humanity just unites and not fighs for ideals, but for the right to live in a world of peace, and thats what Ernesto Guevara wanted, but unfortunately the Imperialist government wouldn't allow him, which cost him his life. I do recommend this movie to all age groups, and all types of people. Expand
  9. FazilM.
    Mar 20, 2006
    10
    Possibly Gael Garcia's best performance till date. The film is seamless and very heartening at times. Also to be praised is Gustavo Santaolalla's impeccable compositions for the move.
  10. BobH.
    Oct 25, 2004
    10
    Absolutley breathtaking view of South America. The acting is absolutely first class and just superb. You can see and feel the pain in the eyes of the people in that region. It is not difficult to understand where the seeds of revolution are born? Sometimes in life we have very little choice and are destined to become the men we truly are. This is an outstanding piece of cinema magic.
  11. ZahirO.
    Oct 28, 2004
    10
    This movie is a gem and must be seen by all! If this movie does not win an oscar, it will be a travesty. Thank you Robert Redford for being a part of such projects! You are a true hero. Bravo Garcia Bernal for your choice of roles. You are now officially an International Superstar!
  12. BartT.
    Oct 6, 2004
    2
    One of the most ponderous films to come down the road in a long time, from one of the most overestimated foreign directors. Little happens, Bernal sleepwalks through his role, and the film is way too long!
  13. WilliamX.
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    Go see it! Go rent it!
  14. BrianR.
    Jan 10, 2005
    10
    This movie belongs on your top 10 of 2004 list. Excellent buddy movie.
  15. anneh.
    Jan 24, 2005
    10
    Superb film - excellent acting -true picture of the great human being that was Che Guevara.
  16. AldoG.
    Jan 27, 2005
    10
    For any one who is south american and knows the customs and history of the place. This movie is excellent. We also see the awakening of a boy into the ideals of a man that would change the world. The sound track is incredibly beautiful as well as the cinematography . The script is a triumphed as well as the performances of these fine actors. This movie should win an Oscar. I am buying the DVD! The ratings should go upto '11'! Expand
  17. J.Pool
    Feb 17, 2005
    2
    At best, something to watch with your travel agent freinds- nice scenery or So. Am. The reality is that "Che", later in life, becomes the great advodate of genocide, dicatatorship and communism. Those giving the film a 10 surely do not undersand the scale. 10 =best. 0= worst.
  18. HelcioB.
    Feb 10, 2005
    10
    Great Latin American Movie, from rising star Walter Salles.
  19. Abby
    Feb 21, 2005
    10
    The point is not about who Che Guevara eventually became, but that he was once as young and idealistic as the rest of us should hope to be. This movie should inspire thoughtful discussion, as to what sort of injustice (and convoluted Marxism) could turn someone who began with the best of ideals into a killer. And be careful where you point your finger--our great "liberal democracies" are surely not the towers of high-minded ideals either. See the humanity in everyone, even a radical who ultimately did good as well as evil. And please, comments about "commies" only bely bigotry and ignorance. And of course, the acting, music, cinematography was superb. See it with a slightly open mind and enjoy. :) Expand
  20. MarcusM
    Feb 7, 2005
    10
    Absolutely brilliant. An execellent betreyal of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Beautiful cinematography and superb acting all across the board. A very moving picture that should spark some kind of thought for viewers. Wonderful!!
  21. Diana
    Mar 11, 2005
    4
    It takes more than a nice landscape and a famous hero to make a good movie. reactions to the movie would be a bit more tame, if it was not about che.
  22. KesslerS.
    Mar 16, 2005
    5
    Overrated!
  23. ballbearing
    Mar 20, 2005
    2
    Excessively long, yet still fails to make a point. Avoid at all costs.
  24. SamX.
    May 1, 2006
    9
    Stunning visual style and reminiscient of Jack Kerouac on the road. Those who rate this film poorly are probably just critics of el Che, and their opinions of the man and legend is reflected in the scores, rather than the content of the film itself.
  25. MarcyR.
    Nov 25, 2004
    7
    This is an enojoyable film, but not one of great depth. The lead performers are not engaging, nor is the writing or direction. It is perhaps the subject matter and the exquisite vistas that kept me engrossed at all. It is worth renting though not worth getting excited about.
  26. DamonC
    Nov 5, 2004
    9
    This is a wonderfully sensitive and politically nuanced movie I've seen for a long time. Reviewers who question the polemics of the piece miss the point - it is NOT about the color of the revolution, it IS about the world education of a young man, who comes to terms with himself and his relationship with the world. Gael Bernal Garcia gave a Oscar-worthy performance, and this movie won't be so quickly forgotten. Thank you, Walter Salles. Expand
  27. CheG.
    Dec 19, 2004
    10
    Fantastic! Mr. Selles directed this amazig movie with wondeful breaktrough performances and an excellent cinematography! Bravo Gael Garcia Bernal!
  28. TracyR.
    Oct 23, 2004
    10
    Beautiful, enjoyable,, thought-provoking. Even better if you've actually READ the memoir. There's a person in all history, always is, and whatever you end up thinking about it all in the end, the movie makes you grapple with the complexity that recognizing other people's humanity fully always brings. Excellent movie.
  29. DavidM.
    Oct 24, 2004
    10
    My girlfriend dragged me to this, but it turned out to be way better than I thought it was gonna be. Funny in parts, thought-provoking in others.
  30. Triniman
    Oct 9, 2004
    8
    The Motorcycle Diaries 4/5 Two twenty-something men from Arentina, one a biochemist, the other a medical student close to graduation, set fourth one a cross-continent journey of South America aboard a 1939 motorcycle. Along the way, their eyes are opened to the changing landscape and particularly to the people they encounter, many of whom are poor and in dire circumstances. These encounters end up shaping their perspectives and changing their lives forever. Ernesto Guevara is the 23 year-old student. He is awkward around women, honest to a fault, but is obviously a person of principle in the making. Alberto Granado is the biochemist and is much more at ease with himself. He fits in easily with the locals wherever they stop to stay with them. He dances well and totally throws himself into the moment to enjoy the good times with the people they meet. Ernesto, by contrast, is more of contemplative person and has firmer convictions. For example, he refuses to spend the $15 US a girlfriend has given him to buy her a bathing suit in the US, even though he and Alberto are usually starving and in need of shelter. He ends up giving the money away, much to the displeasure of Alberto. Along the way, there is much swearing in this sub-titled film, as we see the duo wipe out on the motorcycle several times, encounter snow-filled roads in Chilie that force them to walk the motorcycle and generally argue over how to con or not to con people for food and shelter. The film culminates with the pair arriving to volunteer at a leper colony. On one side of the river is the colony, and on the other side, the medical staff have their facilities and homes. Upon their first visit to the colony, the pair refuse to wear gloves, which is a strict rule, although the gloves are pointless since leprosy is not communicable. Soon, they are embraced by everyone, lepers and medical staff alike. They treat the patients like people, not like pariahs, and end up becoming totally accepted. In one scene, the nuns are serving everyone lunch except our heroes. When they enquire, they are told that only those who attend mass are allowed to be fed. Dejected, they leave the mess hall but find their patients approaching them with food behind the nuns backs. On Ernesto's 24'th birthday, a party is held by the medical staff,on their half of the colony. Ernesto gives a heartfelt speech in which he praises the people for their generosity and makes mention about how South America should be united since they are all the same people. This is supposed to foretell his later exploits as the revoutionary Che Guevara. After making the speech, he wanders to the edge of the river with Alberto, takes off his shirt and then attempts to swim across to be with his beloved patients. This film is refreshingly original. The acting all around is excellent.You never get a sense of being suckered in by the typical shallow hooks that too many Hollywood films utilize. There are no outrageous camera angles, CGI or anything else that leser films require to keep you interested. The Motorcycle Diaires is a film about a journey that results in our protaganists opening their eyes and hearts to the humanity around them on the great South American continent. At times, it will put a smile on your face, but it will also make you think of others apart from yourself without the feeling that you are being preached to. Self-discovery and the road to it, has rarely been filmed so well in recent memory. See this film! Expand
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. 67
    "Dr. Goodlove," or "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Proletariat" might have been a better title for this ingratiatingly loopy origin story about prerevolutionary icon Ernesto "Che" Guevara.
  2. 100
    Lovely, heartfelt and unforced.
  3. 50
    It's much easier to linger on his youthful idealism than on how that idealism eventually manifested itself. It certainly makes for a much prettier picture. But when your subject is Ernesto ''Che'' Guevara, it is disingenuous.