The Motorcycle Diaries…

… is such a beautiful film that it leaves me totally breathless. And at a loss for words. The music made me cry. It really did. It was absolutely breathtaking, the soundtrack was. The fabulous use of the Spanish guitar, the piece on the electric guitar during the river crossing, the scores during the motorcycle rides, the Peruvian percussion… God, by the time the film ended, tears were coursing down my cheeks. Heaven knows it has been ages since I heard such music, so heart-achingly sweet. I suppose the last film where the music made such a definitive impact was American Beauty. Nowhere in Africa has phenomenal music but not as much in terms of musical pieces.

As for the film, what do I say? Gael Garcia Bernal plays the role of a very young and chikna Che Guevara who embarks on a motorcycle trip across the South American continent a la Phaedrus(?) from the Zen book. It begins like one of those coming-of-age films that always have to do with a road trip but at a very definitive point, the film takes shape and turns into one of those introspective journeys, full of questions and doubts. Very earthy and charming, the film has phenomenal photography and presents really intimate pictures of Latin America. Such a gorgeous land, such a native population… It’s such a masterpiece, this film truly is.

Totally recommended… Have to get my hands on the soundtrack, I totally have to. ASAP.