Hey folks, Harry here with the latest sterling work by Copernicus! We've pretty much established the quality level on THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, but the RAY has just been rumors till now, and it certainly seems to be the film the trailer promises, which is a break-out performance by an actor that's having a good year of non-comedic work! Read on and see for yourself... Helluva Toronto...
The MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
As a 24 year old medical student, eventual revolutionary Che Guevara took a motorcycle trip through South America with friend and biochemist Alberto Granada. (Rodrigo de la Serna). Gael Garcia Bernal from "Y Tu Mama Tambien" tuns in a charismatic performance as the young Che (called by his real name, Ernesto) as he gains the formative experiences that would ultimately make him a man of the people.
Brazilian director Walter Salles and cinematographer Eric Gautier take us on a magnificently shot trip through South America, from the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, through the Atacama desert, to the verdant ruins of Machu Picchu. But the real story is the people -- the duo quickly find themselves without money or transportation, but are helped along by people who have even less. As they witness the treatment of the native Incan descendants, and the powerlessness of miners and sharecroppers, they move from carefree travelers to concerned activists. There is an undercurrent of politics, but the film never degenerates into a heavy-handed propaganda piece.
Fair warning: I am a frequent visitor to South America (that is where all of the world's largest southern hemisphere telescopes are located), so it is with a preheated heart that I was judging the proceedings. A friend of mine at the screening still loved the movie, but felt that it was paced somewhat slowly. I feel it captured the heart and soul of both the people and the land, and I'm glad that Salles gave the characters the time they needed to make an impression.
The performances by Rodrigo de la Serna and Gael Garcia Bernal are superb. Both have a natural charm and seem to effortlessly imbue their characters with a warmth that is difficult to artificially create. You feel woven into their close-knit friendship, and their buddy story has not been Hollywoodized with outrageous bickering to build humor or drama. The drama here comes from the journey, both physical and mental as the two must overcome barriers to move on.
The Motorcycle Diaries is not the kind of movie that wins awards or
changes lives, but it is a well appreciated glimpse into both a continent
and the core of man that made a real difference.
RAY
A few things are certain about the Oscar race this year: Ray will be nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, and all of the sound and music awards for which it is eligible. The movie is very good, almost great, though it comes up just shy of true brilliance. That probably won't stop it from picking up the Best Picture trophy, but I've seen quite a few movies at the festival that are more deserving of the honor. Jamie Foxx does deserve Best Actor for an outstanding performance as Ray Charles. With the glasses on, head swingin', and fingers working the ivory, you'll think that ol' Ray himself somehow played the role. He just nails the mannerisms, the voice -- every aspect of Ray Charles.
The main line of the story begins with Ray's early days trying to make it as a piano player in various bands. At first he plays country and Nat King Cole songs, but has yet to develop his own distinctive style. As his career develops, his formative childhood experiences are shown in flashback. His memories of his northern Florida upbringing, his only visual memories of the world, are shown in vivid, saturated colors. Though he eventually becomes practically revered as a god, Ray still has demons to overcome from both his childhood and his adult life.
The movie is practically a musical, as his songs are woven into the storyline. This is done with mixed results. While any excuse to put a Ray Charles song in the middle of a movie is a good one -- they are indeed the highlight of film -- it is unfortunate that the filmmakers "Gumped-up" the story to make this happen. You know what I mean, the screenwriter's instinct to say "look how this pop-culture phenomenon started because of this clever little anecdote we have written for our hero!" It takes away from the emotional punch of a breakup when Ray tells one long term love interest to "Hit the Road Jack," and suddenly get the idea for a song. If you are going to go that route you're better off with the over the top Blues Brothers-style spontaneous breaking out into song for no reason. This movie usually takes the more subtle route, which is why the occasional head bonks are that much more painful.
But the musical numbers are a wonder to behold. Jamie Foxx is lip-syncing here but it is done better than I've ever seen it done before. Sometimes he stops mid-song, and the transition back to the actor's voice is seamless. Nearly every song brings pure glee. Every time Ray is in a hard spot, he switches on his super-power, his musical genius. As the characters are won over on screen you can't help but be taken under the spell at the same time.
In the end, the disappointing aspect of the movie is that it is a predicatble, standard biography. But Ray Charles' story is so compelling, and the music is so engaging, it is hard not to be swept up in the experience no matter how conventionally it is told.
COPERNICUS
