Evita - Hollywood Movie

Cast

Premiered in Dec 1996 and was directed by Alan Parker

This movie earned 3 Golden Globe Awards in January 1997. Madonna won Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy, Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber won for their original song ’’You Must Love Me’’ and the movie won Best Musical/Comedy.

Not bad in an era that doesn’t see musicals in the same light as in days past. This movie was narrated almost completely in song.

Madonna with an elegant twist. She plays a diva, a saint, a victim and a voice for the people, an actress, a singer and a woman starved for attention, playing the role of Eva Peron. To me, this was an about-face for Madonna, pertaining to her style and talent. She was able to pull-off the role of Eva Peron (Maria Eva Duarte-Peron), to match the acclaimed Broadway play by the same name as the movie.

I had been involved in a local theatre production of Evita, in 1986, working on costumes among other things and fell in love with the story and the music. I had seen the play 4 times, before closing night. So when the movie came out I had to see it. After watching it 5 times on paid T.V. I finally bought the movie.

Antonio Banderas did a wonderful job of playing the rebel Che, who happened to be my favorite character in this story. His role was one invisible to Eva. He moved in and out of the story telling a different side of Madonna’s character. He marched with the crowds, fought in the battles and stood up for the rebellious rights of the people. There was strong, powerful acting and singing on his part. Antonio had been a singer, in his native tongue, long before hitting the movie screen.

Jonathan Pryce played a convincing role as Juan Peron, showing his power and hold over politics, leadership and people, also his love for his wife. He was imprisoned and it was Evita, who rallied to have him freed and returned to power.

Eva Peron was born in 1919 and died in 1952 at the tender age of 33. Her family has denied the story line that her father’s two families battled (funeral of the father). Much of the rest of the story seems not to be disputed. All of Argentina mourned her death.

I have heard it said that Madonna didn’t have the strength in her voice, compared with the original stage production and I have to agree (I have both sets of CD’s) but she did a wonderful job and truly showed another side of her talent. One I prefer over her usual style of music. Also it has been said that she has a remarkable resemblance to the real Eva Peron and this can be seen in the movie, as many of the pictures are the original Eva. The movie is one well worth the viewing and even purchasing.