Evita
1996
Madonna tackles the title role in Alan Parker's ambitious recounting of the brief, amazing life of former Argentine first lady Eva Peron. Presented almost entirely in song and narrated by Antonio Banderas as a fictional everyman, the film charts the alternately revered and reviled Evita's rise from poverty to become a film and .. Read more
| Starring | Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce, Jimmy Nail |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
loading...
Evita
Madonna tackles the title role in Alan Parker's ambitious recounting of the brief, amazing life of former Argentine first lady Eva Peron. Presented almost entirely in song and narrated by Antonio Banderas as a fictional everyman, the film charts the alternately revered and reviled Evita's rise from poverty to become a film and radio actress; her relationship with President Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce); and her tragic death from cancer at age 33.
Banderas, a surprisingly moving singer, and the inimitable Madonna, who took voice lessons before filming commenced to expand her vocal range, provide the emotional bedrock for the eminently enjoyable film with their charismatic screen presences. The music, including the Oscar-winning song "You Must Love Me," weaves an entrancing web, and the sets and costumes are awe inspiring. Parker does a fine job of adapting Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical for the big screen. The director's vision shines clearly here: Like PINK FLOYD: THE WALL, EVITA is an enchanting mixture of epic fairy tale and sociopolitical psychodrama.
| Starring | Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce, Jimmy Nail |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 9 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 May 1999 Production year: 1996 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (4)
View all -
In one of her better forays into movies, Madonna plays the poor rural girl who became mother figure to Argentina through marriage to President Juan Perón (Jonathan Pryce) in this musical biography based on the long-running stage success. Director Alan Parker eschews explanatory dialogue to link the music, resulting in a curiously airless and enigmatic piece that never involves us in the traumas of Evita or Argentina. Antonio Banderas, meanwhile, co-stars as the everyman revolutionary whose appearance and reappearance in Evita's life is never fully explained. It's probably better to have seen the original first; then you'll know why Evita sings Don't Cry for Me Argentina.
-
Epic version of the stage musical with a star performance in the title role, and providing some sweep and power, while still retaining the clumsy narrative and uninteresting music of the original.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
depressing
didnt watch it all turned it off after half an hour
-
Most recent members' review
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Two wrongs make a right
So, you thought all musicals were boring? WRONG You thought Madonna couldn't sing? WRONG You thought Jimmy Naill ( is that how you spell his name?) was ugly? RIGHT!!
The first half of this is laden with outstanding songs, beautifully arranged and performed. It also has Madonna portraying a woman who sleeps her way to the top, casting off each paramour in turn, until she can reach no higher. Perhaps she found the experience cathartic; she played the role with consumate ease, Antonio Banderas (I really should check the spelling of these actors' names sometime) was excellent, most convincing as he bitterly commented on the harlot's rise to fame.
Jonathan Price was taught by my dad some years ago; he survived that well and has gone on to be quite the thing in the movie world, as demonstrated very capably here. I'm still singing the songs nearly a week later and enjoying the film in hindsight as I do. -
News and features
View all
Madonna eyes more movies
- 02 Oct 2009
Madonna is devoting herself to her film career - she has penned a new script and is planning to direct a movie next year (10). The Material Girl has starred in a number of films, including musical Evita and ex-husband Guy Ritchie's Swept Away, and made her directional debut in 2008 with Filth and Wisdom. She put her film career on hold to embark on her mammoth Sticky & Sweet world tour, which became the highest-grossing roadshow ever for a solo artist. But Madonna is determined to head back to Read more
-
More like this
View allShowing 1 to 4 of 20
Related user collection
100% from 1 member
Showing 1 to 3 of 7
