In 1952, two young Argentines, Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado, set out on a road trip to discover the real Latin America. Ernesto is a 23-year-old medical student specializing in leprology, and Alberto, 29, is a biochemist. The film follows the young men as they unveil the rich and complex human and social topography of the Latin American continent. With a highly romantic sense of adventure, the two friends leave their familiar surroundings in Buenos Aires on a rickety 1939 Norton 500. Although the bike breaks down during the course of their eight-month journey, they press onward, hitching rides along the way. As they begin to see a different Latin America in the people they meet on the road, the diverse geography they encounter begins to reflect their own shifting perspectives. They continue to the heights of Machu Picchu, where the majestic ruins and the extraordinary significance of the Inca heritage have a profound impact on the young men. As they arrive at a leper colony deep in the Peruvian Amazon, the two are beginning to question the value of progress as defined by economic systems that leave so many people disaffected. Their experiences at the colony awaken within them the direction they will ultimately follow in their latter lives. The Motorcycle Diaries outlines these defining times that shape the ethical and political journey they will take as they mature into adulthood.

The movie is a touching coming of age story that powerfully demonstrates how witnessing the suffering and struggles of others can change ones outlook and even the course of one's life. Che and Alberto grow and expand throughout the movie learning about life, love and each other through a series of adventures and mishaps that would eventually end up touching most of Latin America. It is hard to not be moved by this film as it shows such compassion for humanity and teaches lessons of self sacrifice and good will to other men. The movie was almost like two movies in one - the first half a comical farce that makes you laugh at the misadventures of Che and Alberto who for the first time in their lives explore the world but as they change so does the movie. The second half of the movie a drama that begins as they reach the leper colony which changes the two forever. Likewise the film evolves along with it's central characters becoming much more serious and touching as it goes along.

Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo de la Serna do an amazing job of portraying these historically significant individuals and not even the subtitles get in the way of these wonderful turns. Don't let the language barrier scare you off, because this is one of the most moving films to come along in years.