Movie Review: Evita
Rate This Article
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know this movie depicts complex political
themes, some violence (brutality of soldiers against citizens,
bloody victims of an earthquake), and sexual innuendo (showing
lovers in bed, but no sex).
Families can talk about what they think of the main character, Evita. What kind of person was she? Why did so many Argentines idolize her?
Common Sense Media Review
Although it stumbles a bit throughout, EVITA remains a
stunning movie musical that finds its rhythm after the first
hour or so. The scenes that work will sweep viewers up in the
political and personal stratosphere of Argentina's most beloved
first lady, Eva Perón.
In those moments, whether she's addressing a cheering crowd of peasants or flirting with her future husband (and the country's future president), Madonna embodies "Evita," and her vocal performances communicate what she has never seemed capable of as a traditional actress. Other musical sequences -- particularly the earlier ones, as well as those that feature blaring rock-music guitars -- feel awkward. Throughout the movie, Antonio Banderas serves as the cynical narrator, Che. It's hard to accept Banderas in a role that requires him to sing all his dialogue. But without him, the movie would be a one-sided glorification of Evita.
Based on a 1970s musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the movie version was apparently in talks for so long that Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand were once considered for the leading role. Madonna makes it her own, however, and it's easy to see the parallels between the Material Girl and Evita: Both were deeply affected as children by the death of a parent. Both were ambitious women from humble backgrounds who hit the big city with dreams of fame. Both made calculated choices to realize those dreams, and did not shy away from incorporating their sexuality into the equation.
In an early scene set in the 1930s, a teenage Eva stubbornly follows her married lover -- famous tango singer Agustín Magaldi -- to Buenos Aires. With suitcase in hand, she strides confidently through the streets, singing "What's new, Buenos Aires?" A rude awakening follows, as Magaldi abandons her for his family and Eva becomes a dance-hall girl -- and later a model and radio-commercial singer -- to support herself. She also goes through a string of lovers who help further her acting career.
The movie really takes shape when Eva meets Col. Juan Perón ( Jonathan Pryce) at a 1944 benefit he has orchestrated for victims of an earthquake. (Banderas slyly observes that Juan used the tragedy as an opportunity to advance his own political career.) Eva and Juan's duet, "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You," is surprisingly effective after the film's rather clunky start. As their romance blooms, so do political turmoil and various labor strikes in Argentina. The country is ripe for a new leader, and although Juan is lukewarm about a political career, Eva pushes him, noting how much the people love him. After his arrest, Juan's popularity increases even more and Eva shrewdly promotes him in her radio shows, saying that his love for her proves his solidarity with the working-class and the poor.
Musical numbers such as "A New Argentina" capture the excitement and energy of the Peróns' political campaign. The most memorable sequences are Pryce's post-election speech and Madonna's touching performance of "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina," both delivered from the presidential balcony as thousands of supporters cry "Pe-rón! Pe-rón!" in a chant that almost sounds like a heartbeat.
A charismatic speaker and glamorous, politically involved first lady, Evita became even more idolized than her husband in Argentina, whose citizens even urged her to run for vice president. During Juan's presidency, she embarked on her own European tour, where she was both cheered and scorned, depending on the country. The movie includes a depiction of this "Rainbow Tour" and briefly hints at allegations that the Perons were Nazi sympathizers. It also examines the extensive network of social service organizations that Evita helped establish in her country.
Families who enjoyed this movie might also like the biopics Gandhi , Elizabeth I , and Malcolm X . For more musicals with strong women and great music, try The King and I or Dreamgirls .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
