Evita (1996) Movie Review, Trailer and Poster

U.S. 1997
Director: Alan Parker
Cast: Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce, María Luján Hidalgo, Jimmy Nail, Olga Merediz
Rating: PG
Release Date: January 10th 1997
Running Time: 2 hours 14 minutes

The Movie Review

Madonna, after flunked in so many movies and being lambasted by movie critics all over the world, now she proves that her talent is not limited to singing and dancing only. Yup, through a movie released in 1996, entitled Evita.

Evita is a biographical movie about the famous-slash-infamous Eva Duarte de Peron. Eva is an actress, a charismatic political leader and a spiritual leader of Argentina who claims to defend all the poor (Descamisados) rights, because she knows how it felt to be a low-class person. Evita comes from a low-class family and as a little girl she is traumatized by an incident that prevent her and her family from attending her father's funeral by his father another wife.


EVITA
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She then makes her way to the top in not such a acclaim-worthy manner. Until she finally meets Colonel Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce) and able to spread her influences to the people of Argentina with her charisma.

Judging by its cover, you might think that this is one serious biopic film, nope. Evita is musical drama movie, all about Evita served in music and dancing with satirical lyrics that insinuate Eva Peron or any person connected to her. It's shame though, some of the songs are not that good to sing along or even to enjoy, I personally think the majority of the songs are not treats for the sore ears. They are awkward. But then again it's a matter of taste, the story is intriguing really, but I just can't stand the majority of the songs, and since Evita is based on Broadway Musical Play, there are not much of a normal dialogue in it, only songs after songs going one after another non-stop!

A drama film with extensive musical performance by its actors in it could be a backfire for the film itself. If the songs are great and performed by qualified singers slash actors, then it gives great advantage to the movie. On the contrary it would bore the audience to world drools! And even worse for a movie that solely depends on its songs just like Evita. A musical movie without further character development or emotional involvement to the audience.

As I stated above, Madonna performs very well and convincing although recalling that her role involves a lot of singing and dancing too. But...Whew!! Antonio Banderas in here is not Banderas as El Mariachi in Desperado, I just grinned at his singing and voice, whew...fortunate enough for him, after his weird performance in Evita, he could get back in the game just exactly two years after Evita with The Mask of Zorro.

Evita devoid of other movie elements except for the musical soundtracks would surely arouse Madonna fans and of course the people who are interested in the life of Eva Peron and want to learn it the fun way. For others, well it's your call then.

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com