10 Best Performances In War Movies
4. Benicio Del Toro - Che Parts 1&2
For a four hour long epic about one of the most fascinating and iconic figures in 20th century history, Stephen Soderbergh’s Che is decidedly unshowy. Indeed, much of the two part film is about the grit and graft of revolution, and its pared back shooting style emphasises how much more there was to Guevara than a figure on a t shirt.
At its core is Benicio del Toro, one of modern cinema’s most charismatic actors, in one of his finest roles to date. An impossibly intense performer, del Toro occupies every minute of this lengthy production, and brings life and heft to the Guevara legend.
A significant amount of research and commitment elevates the performance - a long gestation period allowed del Toro years to research Che and meet with his family, and even Fidel Castro, who gave the project his blessing upon seeing how seriously Soderbergh and del Toro were taking the story.
The actor portrays Guevera over the course of 12 years, and it’s a period of transformation for the revolutionary, who starts off idealistic, and ends up ultimately defeated. Del Toro takes us on the full ride.