Che

Overview

Directed by the versatile Steven Soderbergh, Che: Part Two (also known as Guerrilla) is the second half of an ambitious cinematic diptych chronicling the revolutionary life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Released in 2008 alongside Che: Part One (The Argentine), this film shifts from the triumphant Cuban Revolution to a far more arduous and ultimately fatal chapter. Eschewing Hollywood heroics, Soderbergh presents a stark, procedural, and intimate portrait of Che's failed campaign in Bolivia, focusing on the grinding reality of guerrilla warfare when historical conditions are not in its favor. With a mesmerizing, committed performance by Benicio Del Toro at its core, the film is a demanding, immersive, and politically neutral examination of idealism, isolation, and the complex mechanics of revolution.

Plot Synopsis (NO SPOILERS)

The narrative picks up several years after the success in Cuba. Now an international icon and a high-ranking official in Fidel Castro's government, Ernesto "Che" Guevara is restless. Driven by his unwavering belief in exporting revolution across Latin America, he secretly departs Cuba in 1966. Shedding his public identity, he enters Bolivia under a disguised alias with the aim of fomenting a continent-wide uprising, beginning in its heartland.

The film meticulously details the campaign's inception and its rapid disintegration. Che and a small, multinational band of comrades establish a remote jungle base, expecting to recruit local peasants who they believe are ripe for rebellion. However, they encounter profound isolation and mistrust from the very people they came to liberate. The Bolivian government, aided with crucial intelligence and training by the United States CIA, quickly becomes aware of their presence. What follows is not a story of dramatic battles, but of a slow, relentless siege. The film becomes a tense chronicle of a shrinking world, as the guerrillas are hunted through the unforgiving terrain, plagued by sickness, hunger, internal dissent, and a crippling lack of support. It is a minute-by-minute account of a struggle against not just an army, but against geography, logistics, and a fatal misreading of the political landscape.

Cast and Characters

The film is anchored by a powerfully internalized and physically transformative performance by Benicio Del Toro, who reprises his role as Che Guevara. Here, his Che is older, wearier, and afflicted by severe asthma, yet his ideological fervor remains steel-strong. Del Toro portrays him less as a charismatic leader and more as a dedicated, sometimes rigid, tactician facing the inevitable, his determination becoming a form of tragic stoicism.

The supporting cast functions as an ensemble, reflecting the group's fragile dynamic. Demián Bichir plays Fidel Castro, appearing in a key scene that underscores the political complexities Che leaves behind. Rodrigo Santoro brings a grounded presence to Raúl Castro. Catalina Sandino Moreno portrays Aleida March, Che's wife, appearing in poignant flashbacks that provide emotional contrast to the bleak Bolivian present. Raúl Beltrán plays one of the Bolivian communist leaders, highlighting the tensions between the local party and Che's imported guerrilla mission. The actors portraying the international guerrilla band effectively convey a spectrum of dedication, doubt, and desperation as their situation deteriorates.

Director and Style

Steven Soderbergh directs with a radical, almost clinical objectivity. His style is the antithesis of the first film's more expansive, hopeful canvas. He famously shot the two parts using different technologies: Part Two is filmed with lightweight digital cameras, often in tight, handheld close-ups and a muted, desaturated color palette of jungle greens and muddy browns. This creates an immediate, claustrophobic, and documentary-like feel, thrusting the viewer into the exhausting daily grind of the guerrillas.

The narrative structure is linear and relentless, mirroring the inescapable trap closing around the group. Soderbergh avoids explanatory dialogue or grand speeches; the politics are inferred through action and failure. The sound design is equally minimalist, emphasizing the oppressive silence of the jungle broken by the sounds of labored breathing, rustling foliage, and distant helicopters. This directorial approach refuses to romanticize or vilify, instead presenting a stark "you are there" realism that makes the historical outcome feel both tragic and inevitable.

Themes and Impact

Che: Part Two is a profound study in revolutionary theory versus messy reality. It explores the theme of historical context, arguing that Che's model, successful in Cuba, was tragically misapplied in Bolivia, where the social and political preconditions differed drastically. The film delves deeply into isolation—both physical, in the jungle, and ideological, from the peasantry and even from allies.

It is also a film about the myth versus the man. Soderbergh systematically deconstructs the iconic T-shirt image, showing us a sick, aging, and frustrated leader. The central theme is the nature of ideological commitment in the face of certain defeat. Che's unwavering belief becomes his defining characteristic, raising complex questions about fanaticism, sacrifice, and the point at principle becomes folly. The film's impact lies in its uncompromising honesty; it is a challenging watch that offers no easy answers, serving as a sobering case study on the limitations of individual will in shaping history.

Why Watch

Watch Che: Part Two for a masterclass in immersive, anti-spectacle filmmaking from a director at the height of his artistic daring. It is essential viewing for those interested in modern history, political theory, or cinema that challenges its audience. The film demands patience but rewards it with a uniquely powerful and intimate perspective on a world-historical figure in his final act.

This is not a standalone action film; its full power is unlocked when viewed as the deliberate counterpoint to Che: Part One. Together, they form a monumental, four-and-a-half-hour meditation on the entire arc of a revolutionary life—from the euphoric possibility of victory to the grim mechanics of defeat. Benicio Del Toro's performance is a career highlight, a stunning feat of physical and psychological embodiment. For viewers seeking a thoughtful, unflinching, and artistically rigorous historical drama that prioritizes process over propaganda, Che: Part Two is an unforgettable and necessary experience.