FILM REVIEW :: The Motorcycle Diaries (2004, Walter Salles)

This film is based on the autobiographical account of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Alberto Granado during their cross-continent motorcycle tour of South America in the early 1950s. Fresh out of medical school, Che and Alberto travel from Buenos Aires as far as Colombia and Brazil. The experiences and relationships made as a result of this trip would prove to influence the life course of both men, and move Che to give up the practice of medicine to pursue greater social causes and ultimately, revolutions.

Because both lead characters are Argentine, and the movie intiates in Argentina (during the 1950s no less), it is of little surprise that tango should be featured in the film. A short time into their trip, Che and Alberto stop in Miramar, Argentina to visit the family of Che's girlfriend Chichina. There, in a gathering of wealthy landowner elitists, the 2 men are guests at a private milonga. Chichina dances a graceful milonga with Alberto as Che looks on. Chichina's suspicious father glares with disdain at Che who is admiring Chichina's moves. Alberto dances the milonga with flourishes and improvisations, head leaning in to Chichina's cheek, back end sticking somewhat out.

Che doesn't know how to dance, but lets Chichina lead him out for a tango. This music is slower. She guides him, one, two, three, four. He tries to follow, but is clearly not as interested in the dance as in Chichina's suggestive flirtations and the watchful eyes of her guardians.

Meanwhile, Alberto has spotted an attractive dark-skinned servant woman and Che spots the 2 of them dancing in the stairwell just outside the ballroom. They move together in expert style, Alberto with his nonchalant, casanova flair, and "La Negra" as she is called, appearing suddenly very at ease and alive. Tango bridges class and status.