Revolutionary film's portrayal of Che Guevara ignites controversy

    One would not be remiss in guessing that "Che: Part I — The Argentine" (2009) would be full of praise for one of the 20th century's most controversial and iconic figures. Yet as soon as the film starts rolling, the viewer is drawn into the real, less glamorized story behind this film: the Cuban Revolution.
    The film opens with a geography lesson, acquainting the viewer with Cuba's provinces and large cities, the very places that are the setting for the revolution explored later in the film.
    The action begins with the titular Ernesto "Che" Guevara (played by Benicio Del Toro) and Fidel Castro (Demián Bichir) having a dinner-table discussion about the injustices of the Cuban dictatorship under then-President Fulgencio Batista. After this discussion, the film's focus appears to shift toward Guevara himself, but, in reality, the revolution remains the focus.
    Whereas other movies depicting Che Guevara's life, such as "The Motorcycle Diaries" (2004), have focused on Guevara's personal development and the process by which he formed his ideas, "The Argentine" shows how Guevara puts these ideas into action in the context of the Cuban Revolution.
    "The Argentine," directed by Steven Soderbergh, is the first part of a two-part biopic that, when shown together, lasts over four hours. Luckily for audiences, the films are being released separately, and "The Argentine" lasts only an hour and a half. The film takes viewers from the shores of Mexico (where Guevara and 81 other revolutionaries first set sail to Cuba) to Havana and the eventual successful overthrow of Batista's Cuban dictatorship.
    The film's main storyline is interspersed with scenes in New York where Guevara presents his case to the United Nations and explains the rationale behind the revolution. These segments of the film are shown in black and white. The shift from the vibrant colors of the Cuban setting to the subdued New York palate lets the viewer focus on what Guevara is saying. His speech reveals his reasons for participating in the revolution in Cuba, despite the fact that he himself is Argentinean.
    One cannot help but admire the level of detail put into making the film feel as authentic as possible. The black-and-white New York segments feel like archival footage; the picture is grainier and the speeches are taken word for word from Guevara's actual speeches to the United Nations. When the film moves to the dense forests of the Cuban countryside, the outstanding sound design connects viewers to the action. The audience can hear every crackling leaf and twig that breaks under the boots of Cuban guerrillas as they make their way closer and closer to Havana.
    "The Argentine" has come under fire for being biased toward the notorious and divisive man. Some see him as a symbol of freedom from oppression and injustice, while for others he is a reminder of the brutality and violence that accompanied the Cuban Revolution.
    While "The Argentine" fails to convey the full extent of Guevara's cruelty, it would be unfair to say that it glorifies him in any way, despite the constant reminders of Guevara's unwavering commitment to his own principles and ideals. When the Cuban revolutionaries are poised to take Havana, for example, Guevara orders one of his soldiers who had stolen a car and decided to drive it to Havana to turn back instead of allowing his brigade to arrive in stolen property. Nevertheless, for those who view Guevara's legacy as one of excessive violence, perhaps the lack of a clear condemnation of Guevara's questionable tactics is reason enough to shun the film.
    Anyone who chooses to see this movie will leave the theater asking questions. The film's hesitance to definitively portray Guevara as a man committed to false ideas or horrific tactics makes it hard for the viewer to decide how to feel about his actions.
    This film is especially poignant and timely because Hugo Chavez, the current president of Venezuela, has recently made statements against American imperialism similar to Guevara's at the United Nations. "The Argentine" confronts viewers with a realization that the virtues of capitalism aren't as strong and reliable as they were thought to be, and it is through this atmosphere of uncertainty and self-doubt that the film makes audience members ask themselves, "Do I agree with this guy or not?"