If you do not know much about Columbian history, this will spark your interest. The director, Jorge Alí Triana, has a knack for intriguing the viewer and making them want to research the life Simon Bolivar. When Santiago Miranda says that Simon Bolivar did not die the way that they depict in the soap opera that he plays a role in, it is intriguing. It forces the viewer to ask, how did he really die? That is a question that many have been asking for a long time. Also, the comedic relief in this film is genius. It keeps you on your toes, and it breaks up the dismal view that the viewer gets of Santiago, who seems insane at certain points in the movie. The viewers feel pity for him, mostly.

It's a great work, each character well managed, and a very good direction. Also the sound and photography are well done. I feel that the time I spend seeing this movie was great. I have seen it many times and in each view I found new lectures in the characters. Is a good film and a fine production. I recommend it. This film has a historic view which refers to Bolivar's life and his beloved Manuelita, who some writer said she was the Liberator of the Liberator, an extraordinary woman that twice saved Bolivar's life. Also in the same film scenes we can observed some of the problems this wonderful country (Colombia) has with the "guerrillas" and their points of view. The writers made a very good work.

This film can be seen on many different levels. On the surface it is a (very funny) comedy about an actor who gets so involved in the role of Simón Bolívar in a Colombian soap opera that he believes himself to be the Liberator. On a deeper level, the film makes wry comments about the theatrical nature of politics and about the way in which the mass media mix politics and fiction all the time. The politicians are at first very keen to be able to invite "Simón Bolívar" to political rallies and regional summits, and even the guerrillas want this "Simón" as the symbol of their struggle. At one point one of the guerrillas of the comically named Simon Bolivar Bolshevik Front pulls out a video camera saying "This is a Historical moment. We must record it, comrades". As we know all too well from recent events, freedom fighters and terrorists alike know that politics has become a matter of image as much as substance. It is telling that the populace in the film trust a fictional soap opera hero more than they do the president of their country. It is also telling that the mass media have no respect for History, and will happily rewrite the way Simón Bolívar died to make it more "dramatic".This film will upset those on the Left and the Right who still believe that history is about Truth and politics are about Honour and Duty. For the rest it is a funny, bittersweet satire on the powerlessness of politicians and the power of "the society of the spectacle".

A friend loaned me this film and I'm glad he did. I am not knowledgeable on either the history of Simon Bolivar or current day Columbia, but this was not a barrier to enjoying the story. The protagonist is a lead in a very popular historical soap opera in which he plays Simon Bolivar. It is clear that the TV show is not going for historical accuracy, but is content to focus on Bolivar's love affairs. The script calls for Bolivar to be shot before a firing squad. Our protagonist begins to identify strongly with the character, especially the latter's dreams of a unified Columbia. He bolts from the set just before he is shot and visits the current president of Columbia who is a fan and invites him attend a political rally, where he feels he can benefit from the actor's popularity. A series of adventures ensue in which the lead character fluctuates between his own identity and that of Bolivar, moving more toward the latter as the film progresses. The humorous situations that follow are able to show how Bolivar's dream of a united Columbia have been thwarted by selfish politicians on both the right and left. This type of film often unravels about half way through, but "Bolivar Is Me" manages to reach the ending with flying colors. Very enjoyable on several levels. 7 of 10.