EVITA
Jack Choo
Directed by Alan Parker
Starring : Madonna (Eva Peron) Jonathan Pryce (President Peron) Antonio Banderas (Che) Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Screenplay by Alan Parker & Oliver Stone
Running Time : 150mins
Rating ***1/2 out of *****
100% MUSICAL....ON FILM
I haven't been much "exposed" to stage musicals but as far as the film medium is concerned, EVITA raises the boundaries of filmed musicals to higher ground. EVITA features 150 minutes of pure music (even the little "spoken" parts are sung!). and one cannot help but agree that EVITA is a music-video version of its staged original. Director Alan Parker has taken all the original compositions from the EVITA musical (by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice) plus some new ones and made a film version, which incidently, bears minimal resemblance to its staged counterpart.
Questions and eyebrows alike were raised when Madonna was chosen for the lead role of Eva Peron, the prominent late First Lady of Argentina during the 40's and 50's, a saviour and goddess to the Argentinian people for her humanitarian efforts. Madonna fits in fine in the role, one must understand that she *does* do good acting for her videos, and that EVITA *is* a pure musical film. Whether the Golden Globe was called for, that is another question.
EVITA chronicles the rise to fame for Eva Duarte, a poor village girl who eventually finds herself climbing the social ladder of Buenos Aires until she meets up with the promising politician Juan Peron (PRYCE), who is very much loved by the people for his visions for Argentina. As his wife, Eva campaigned for her husband and as the locals fall in love with the charismatic Eva, Argentina selects Juan Peron as their leader. An entire nation mourned her untimely death at only 33, in 1952. Until now, she still stands as one of the most important historic figures is recent Argentinian history.
Apart from the musical aspect of the film, EVITA features some rather beautiful cinematography and also masses of people in the background, bringing this musical to near-epic proportions. Some parts of the film were shot in the home village of Eva Peron and the presidential palace itself, where the original balcony in which the late Eva Peron gave speeches to the masses still stand.
The entire story of EVITA is chronicled by the Che (BANDERAS) who appears in almost every scene to `sing' the story right through to the end. Banderas had the most singing to do in EVITA (all songs are sung by the thespians themselves). On the whole, EVITA does succeed in bringing entertainment and evoking emotions with its wonderful songs and film atmosphere. However, fans of the staged musical may not be too glad about watching this in the cinema; not especially with Madonna in the leading role. Mark my words, though, she did well! Though I did not find EVITA even half as wonderful as Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS, this is a totally different concept in filmaking.
The Flying Inkpot Rating System:
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
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