Evita

(out of 5)

Can it be the longest music video Madonna ever starred in? Let just say I wasn't exactly singing along. In fact, the only appeal I had for this movie was to see Madonna's cute outfits and elegant hairstyles...and maybe catch a glimpse of her tummy showing (she was pregnant on the set). But let's not go into that. :)

I can see why Madonna wanted to be casted as Eva Peron, the late powerful heroine of Argentina, whom this film is about. In a way, Eva was similar to Madonna in present time. You don't know whether to classify her as a goddess, or (excuse my language) a whore. Either way, they are both famous and adored.

As musicals go, this one definitely fits into the category. The WHOLE film is either sung or grunted in melody! And nows the time to dish out Antonio Banderas's role as Che. Before the film, I thought he was actually going to have a prominent role in Evita. Little did I know that he was going to pop up EVERYWHERE, trying hard to keep a tune while singing the entire narration. It was like seeing a fly on the screen, only I couldn't swat it!

"Don't ask anymore...."
--Madonna as Eva Peron in Evita

I kept on asking myself, "When is this going to get GOOD?" I waited, but the only thing that kept me awake was Madonna's remarkable performance and singing. The choreographers did an excellent job on the dance routines. Killer footwork!

As for the songs, there were just too many of them. Let's use Sound of Music as the model musical. In Sound of Music, each singing number is distinctive from the rest. We actually LIKE hearing the songs during the movie, and each verse in Sound of Music seems to be crafted in such a way that we remember them like a poem. Whereas in Evita, the words are muffled and abstracted as though the whole soundtrack is just one LONG, dragging song. How is that memorable, especially since the tune is off at times? Out of all the songs, the TWO sung by Madonna are most admirable: Don't Cry For Me Argentina, and You Must Love Me.

Despite my negative comments, this epic film is very honorable--the cinematography is superb. I can't explain it, but there is something very charming about this film...it might be the setting, or it might be the convincing drama.

Maybe it was just Madonna.

Rated: PG

Cinergi Pictures, Dirty Hands Productions, Hollywood Pictures, Summit Entertainment

Cast/Credits:
Madonna .... Eva Pero
Antonio Banderas .... Che
Jonathan Pryce .... Juan Peron
Jimmy Nail .... Agustin Magaldi
Victoria Sus .... Dona Juana
Julian Littman .... Brother Juan
Olga Merediz .... Blanca
LauraPallas .... Elisa
Julia Worsley .... Erminda
Maria Lujan Hidalgo .... Young Eva Servando Villamil .... Cipriano Reyes
Andrea Corr .... Peron's Mistress
Peter Polycarpou .... Domingo Mercante Gary Brooker .... Juan Bramuglia
Maite Yerro .... Julieta
Adrian Collado .... Carlos

Directed by: Alan Parker

Produced by: Lisa Moran, Alan Parker, Robert Stigwood, Andrew G. Vajna and David Wimbury

Written by: Alan Parker, Tim Rice, Oliver Stone and Andrew Lloyd Webber

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