“The Motorcycle Diaries” is one of those rare films that makes your heart almost burst with spirit.

It is a dramatization of the youthful adventures of Ernesto Guevera de la Serna (played by Gael Garcia Bernal), a restless and ideological medical student, and Alberto Granado (played by Rodrigo de la Serna), an equally restless biochemistry student, through the South American countryside.

The film takes on a pleasant dullness right from the beginning, with the declaration that it is not a story of greatness, but about “two lives running parallel for a while.” The story is not of Guevera’s later life, or anything near that. It is simply the story of two friends finding adventure before their professional lives begin.

There is no great action in “The Motorcycle Diaries”, though it is evident that Guevera’s political ideologies and desires stem from his experiences during his travels with Granado. It is not a film to breed ideas of revolution, but it suggests the separate ideologies adopted by the two friends that remain with them throughout their lives.

Regardless of one’s own political opinion of Che Guevera, one has to appreciate the simple beauty and spirit of not only the film, but of the adventure itself. When the two set out, it was not their intent to change the world, and any restless spirit can connect with the ideology behind the adventure.

Overall, the film was remarkably well-made. The acting was excellent and completely natural. Bernal’s performance is especially noteworthy and he’s no new-comer to the silver screen, boasting performances in “ Amores Perros” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien.”

Some might be put off by the fact that “The Motorcycle Diaries” has English subtitles, as it is filmed in Spanish. Despite the subtitles, the dialogue is such that they go almost completely unnoticed.

“The Motorcycle Diaries” is an amazing film, no matter your political beliefs or interests in Ernesto “Che” Guevera. I have confidence that any viewer will walk away from the experience more than a little inspired.

Overall, “The Motorcycle Diaries” earns a grand total of eight out of 10 stars.