"And as for fortune, and as for fame... I never invited them in, though it seemed to the world they were all I desired."
Movies about political figures are tricky. Everyone has their own opinion about politicians...so who do you listen to?
This is the story of Argentina's Eva Peron (Madonna). The films opens with her death and is narrated by Che (Banderas), a worker who is somewhat cynical about Eva's actions. He proceeds to show how she grew up poor, but fell in love with a musician named Magaldi (Nail) who took her to Buenos Aries. Once in the BA (as she calls it) she is abandoned and left to find her own way. She begins a series of affairs that help her become an actress. Eventually she meets millitary man Juan Peron (Pryce). Peron has political aspirations, so they team up. They marry and she helps him gain the presidency. Eva speaks for the people, and their adoration skyrockets her to superstardom. But we all know the price of fame...
Apparently the story is based on a book by an anti-Peronian (if that is a word), so while the story is about Eva and we are asked to identify with her, we take that story with a grain of salt. The character of Che adds snarky comments and continually questions her motives, which causes the audience to do the same. I don't know anything about Eva so I cannot speak to that knowledge. However, I do enjoy this musical. Like all Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, this is a rock opera (no spoken words)...and it works.
Madonna does an excellent job singing her way through Eva's life, but I prefer the character of Che. Banderas steals the scenes he is in and seamlessly flits between being both in and out of the story at the same time: able to clearly explain the events while still taking a step back and remarking on them. Pryce is cold and hard to read, but that could be in part to the way the character is written. Overall it is a decent musical. I prefer Joseph (the only ALW show I've seen, so far)...but it isn't bad. The costumes are impressive (especially considering all of Madonna's clothes are based on actual outfits worn by Eva). I don't think this version of Eva is entirely likeable. I had a hard time caring about her shortly after the dark-haired Madonna enters the scene. If it wasn't for the presence of Che, and the songs which I already knew, I would have stopped the film then and there!
--: the music is lovely, albeit repetitious (but what ALW music isn't?)
--: if you have the ability to see it on television, or for free then go for it, this isn't a movie I would buy or pay money to see...but it's not bad
Evita (1996) 134 minutes
Rated: PG for thematic elements, images of violence and some mild language
Director: Alan Parker
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Starring: Madonna as Eva Peron
Antonio Banderas as Che
Jonathan Pryce as Juan Peron
Jimmy Nail as Magaldi
This is the story of Argentina's Eva Peron (Madonna). The films opens with her death and is narrated by Che (Banderas), a worker who is somewhat cynical about Eva's actions. He proceeds to show how she grew up poor, but fell in love with a musician named Magaldi (Nail) who took her to Buenos Aries. Once in the BA (as she calls it) she is abandoned and left to find her own way. She begins a series of affairs that help her become an actress. Eventually she meets millitary man Juan Peron (Pryce). Peron has political aspirations, so they team up. They marry and she helps him gain the presidency. Eva speaks for the people, and their adoration skyrockets her to superstardom. But we all know the price of fame...
Apparently the story is based on a book by an anti-Peronian (if that is a word), so while the story is about Eva and we are asked to identify with her, we take that story with a grain of salt. The character of Che adds snarky comments and continually questions her motives, which causes the audience to do the same. I don't know anything about Eva so I cannot speak to that knowledge. However, I do enjoy this musical. Like all Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, this is a rock opera (no spoken words)...and it works.
Madonna does an excellent job singing her way through Eva's life, but I prefer the character of Che. Banderas steals the scenes he is in and seamlessly flits between being both in and out of the story at the same time: able to clearly explain the events while still taking a step back and remarking on them. Pryce is cold and hard to read, but that could be in part to the way the character is written. Overall it is a decent musical. I prefer Joseph (the only ALW show I've seen, so far)...but it isn't bad. The costumes are impressive (especially considering all of Madonna's clothes are based on actual outfits worn by Eva). I don't think this version of Eva is entirely likeable. I had a hard time caring about her shortly after the dark-haired Madonna enters the scene. If it wasn't for the presence of Che, and the songs which I already knew, I would have stopped the film then and there!
--: the music is lovely, albeit repetitious (but what ALW music isn't?)
--: if you have the ability to see it on television, or for free then go for it, this isn't a movie I would buy or pay money to see...but it's not bad
Evita (1996) 134 minutes
Rated: PG for thematic elements, images of violence and some mild language
Director: Alan Parker
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Starring: Madonna as Eva Peron
Antonio Banderas as Che
Jonathan Pryce as Juan Peron
Jimmy Nail as Magaldi
2 comments:
i think this is a good story and a good description on evas life.
I really really love this film, I like the character and her motives to get out of poverty, I have read about evita and though many critize her she was also very, loved. Anway I was obssed with this film for a long, long while...
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