In the first part of the movie, we see the man who is Che in both his wartime persona and as the post-revolutionary idol. The beginning scene of the movie where Che is being interviewed by what seems like an American journalist, her question in regards to American policy towards Latin America and its ramifications to the image of the Cuban revolution. Che’s response of just taking a drag of his cigar and just stares at the camera. This nonchalant attitude towards the what other think of his revolution and his ideas is at times what makes him the image that he is. The movie continues to show us the parallels of the man who Che was during the war, a tough man who much like other fighters he digs himself into the trenches fighting for what he believes. But we also see the intellectual mind which gains him respect from his revolutionary comrades. Although gains his respect from his comrades from both his guerrilla bravery and his intelligence, the guerrilla persona is somewhat lost once the revolution is over and Che becomes a spokesman. Most notably at the point where Che is seen at an American party where he is socializing with Senators and other socialites and such. Once he steps into that world we no longer see the guerrilla fighter but a man transformed by a revolution who now relies on his intelligence rather than his guerrilla prowess. Even though he no longer a true guerrilla he is still fighting a much larger war versus western ideals trying to hinder Cuba’s progress. The climax of this war can be seen as Che steps up in front of the United Nations and calls out different Latin American nations as siding with the United states instead of a fellow Latin country, this war between them and the United States is evident when the United States representative isn’t even there.
This dual reality of what Che was and Che became becomes evident as the movie progresses. Even though he moves away from his guerrilla ways the guerrilla doesn’t die. Although Che no longer fights in the trenches for the moment he continues to fight in the political sphere. Che’s new fight no longer relies on his wartime abilities but you can sense that although he is an intellectual to some he still harbors a guerrilla fighter behind his calm demeanor.
There are several good points you made that I like. I’m quoting you here but when you say, “this nonchalant attitude towards what other think of his revolution and his ideas is at times what makes him the image that he is”, this is so true! It’s not just what he does, but how we talk about him, this also creates or perpetuates this image or sense of him. I would however disagree with you when you say that Che no longer is, or loses this, guerrilla figher in him. In the movie he actually says that a guerrilla solider never stops being guerrilla soldier. Although intelligence does become an important facet for him, I think this revolutioanry soldier in him can never be lost. I believe it is so engrained in him, and has become a part of his identity. It is also what created and made this Cuban Revolution unique. So claiming he loses this figher spirit in him, afterwards, sort of challenges everything he’s been working for. But even then, when you mention how he is now fighting a bigger war, one against American imperialism. I believe he still has and relies on his revolutionary qualities. If anything, one could argue facing this new bigger threat is forcing him to become more of a revolutionary. With greater intelligence, strength, and persistence against this hegemonic US.
I’m not entirely sure that in the later sequences Che is portrayed as a “revolutionary idol,” or at least not solely so: we also see numerous protests against his presence in New York (and even an attempted assassination). He is still, here, a figure who divides opinion, even as he fascinates many.
Although, as you point out, Che is no longer fighting a guerilla war once he’s in New York, I do feel like he’s doing as much as possible to keep the “guerrila spirit” going. By going around wearing army boots and fatigues, giving interviews on how to be a revolutionary, and in his speech to the UN, he is very much presenting himself and the Cuban Revolution as examples to follow.