As “the other guy” in “The Motorcycle...

As “the other guy” in “The Motorcycle Diaries,” the one who does not go on to become the doomed romantic revolutionary Che Guevara and is not played by international heartthrob Gael Garcia Bernal, Alberto Granado could easily become a mere second fiddle, his participation in the transformative 1952 journey across Latin America reduced to occasional substitute driver.

In the hands of Argentine actor Rodrigo de la Serna, however, Granado’s role in the journey is that of a definite equal, fueled by sly humor, growing admiration and mutual respect. De la Serna is already a veteran of theater, television and film in Argentina at age 28, yet American advertisements for “Motorcycle Diaries” feature a card “introducing” him. Though he is certainly upbeat about the possibility of breaking into the American market, he holds no great expectations but allows that this is an exciting time for Latin American actors.

“Because of people like Gael and Diego Luna,” he says, speaking by telephone from Buenos Aires, doors are being opened.

De la Serna notes that though “Motorcycle Diaries” traces the experiences that fed Che Guevara’s political awakening, “The Motorcycle Diaries” is less a political film than an inspiring look at a shared moment in time.

Having retraced the trek around South America during filming, he says, “From the journey and the making of this film I have a real sense of what Che was trying to achieve, what he meant by Latin America as one [unified “nation”]. It’s something I would recommend to everyone.”

-- M.O.