Monday

The second part of Che is as remarkable as the first, although I think it would be a mistake to think of it as a separate film, containing unique or new developments (like, say, a true sequel would). Instead, it is a mere continuation of the understated excellence of the first. As such, there isn't much for me to add to my earlier review. I felt the first film was almost a set up for this one, providing the background detail, letting us know who Che was and how he worked. In a way, it shows us his ability so that we know what goes wrong in the second is hardly his fault. If so, the film flatters Che a bit too much (noticeable is the only brief mention of his part in the executions in Cuba), but it is hardly a laudatory movie. The failures of the Bolivian campaign are slowly revealed with an inevitability that is almost painful. We see his persistence here, his true belief in what he is doing, and why (as well as being shown some examples). We also see much more of his opposition, the Bolivian government, its military, and its help from America. The film deals as plainly as possible with the tragic and almost heroic end to Che's campaign, although it does have a few over-stylistic sequences that irked me a little. If anyone wants to buy me the box-set, though, that would be just fine.