Evita
On video August 5
Rating: PG
Review Date: 07-02-97
Studio site: Evita
Stars: Madonna, Antonio Banderas
After being a smash broadway hit and numerous delays, Evita has
finally come to fruition with Madonna in the lead role. Many have said
that Madonna couldn't play a part like this. They cite the other films
she has been in like Desperately Seeking Susan and Who's That
Girl as showing her acting ability. But they forget that this film's
role calls for Madonna to sing and carry-on much like she was staging a
show. And let me tell you Madonna and the film are magnificent.
I'm not a big fan of musicals, though Singin' In The Rain is one
of my favorites, so I didn't know if I really wanted to see this film.
When I got to the theater I was mesmerized by a fantastic film. Antonio
Banderas is magnificent as basically the narrarator for out story, Ch3/4.
He leads down the life and death of Eva Duarte/Eva Per(n.
Madonna as Eva is magnificent. Her voice in the singing numbers is top
notch and she is able to portray the troubling life of Eva in a first rate
style and performance. When she was young she started attaching herself
to men who could advance her in society. She would go from one to another
breaking numerous hearts along the way and always advancing forward as
she left her lovers behind.
Banderas is a crowd pleaser and takes us through the story eloquently and
with style. I did not previously realize how vocally talented he was, but
he will make you a believer in the story and his abilities. Banderas follows
Eva along as she leaves her small town for the city and then as one lover
after another exits the picture, and each time envokes us with a song.
Evita is a brilliant picture and this is coming from someone who
is not necessarily a big fan of Drama/Musicals. The scenery is breathtaking
and the costuming elegant. Director Alan Parker makes us feel the power
that would have been felt had we lived in those trying times. He makes
us feel the fear and anticipation that is involved with Eva's rise to power
and all in song. He haunts us with the spellbinding cries of "Evita" by
the crowd.
No Eva was never a saint by any means in her day, and this film tends to
show her in a better light then it probably should have. But this is a
movie adaptation, and with that comes some creative liberties. The cast
and crew deserve to be commended for their work in bringing this Broadway
hit to the big screen and the masses in such a sensational "one night only"
performance that can be repeated for years to come.
Grade: A
Parents Guide: Nothing too bad about this PG rated musical. Yes Eva Duarte
starts out as basically a tramp/golddigger but there are no revealing scenes
that would show children more than you want them to see. No language to
speak of as the film is basically sung in its entirety. And the songs in
this film contain much tamer language than in most of the things heard
on the radio today.
Comments to: The Common Guy
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