Che Part 2

As stand-alone films, Che Parts 1 and 2 are less than enlightening. Part 2 suffers from the same problems as it's predecessor. It's still almost impossible to distinguish one bearded character from the next; the viewer is still kept at a distance from the main character; the guerrillas still trek endlessly to and fro while the spectator wonders just what the hell is actually happening. Basically as individual films, the two parts are deeply unsatsfying. However, viewed as a pair, they become reflections of each other. Whereas the peasants in Cuba support the guerrillas, in Bolivia they are deeply mistrustful (especially of the foreigners amongst them) and refuse to help. Che's group in Cuba were, on the whole, determined and loyal, but in Bolivia there's arguments and a lack of enthusiasm, men drift away. Che's asthma is far worse and the number of dead start to pile up. There's no glorious culminating pitched battle, and rather than taking the initiative, the guerrillas are forever on the back foot, the ones being pursued. Then of course there's the ending. Part 1 ends with victory, part 2 with defeat and death. The viewer can only appreciate the full impact of the latter having seen the joy of the former.