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Evita
Movie Stats & Links |
| Starring: |
Madonna, Antonio Banderas,
Johnathan Pryce |
| MPAA Rated: |
PG |
| Kiddie Movie: |
I think most kids would be
bored. |
| Date Movie: |
Good to snuggle on the couch
and watch. |
| Gratuitous Sex: |
Evita spent a lot of time on
her back but the movie just insinuates this and shows no
love scenes. |
| Gratuitous
Violence: |
There are some scenes where
street demonstrations get out of hands and some heads get
bashed in, but it's not graphic. |
| Action: |
This is a drama so don't
expect and car crashes. |
| Laughs: |
Like I said, It's a drama. |
| Memorable
Scene: |
I'd have to say
the most emotional scene for me was sequence following
"Evita" finding out she is terminally ill and
accompanied by the song "You Must Love Me"
(Another news flash... The song won a Golden Globe) |
| Memorable
Quote: |
None come to mind. |
| Directed By: |
Alan Parker |
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Evita
A Video/DVD Review |
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Rated - PG |
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It's 2:14 Long |
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| A Review by |
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Stu
Gotz |
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| Madonna plays Evita |
Movies like "Twister," "Jurassic Park," and
"Backdraft," without a doubt, are best when seen on the
big screen in a theater with a good sound system. I really didn't
think it would be all that bad to watch "Evita" on my
crappy little 19 inch TV screen. I was wrong. I guess so much of
what makes this a good movie is related to the cinematography and
the musical score that 19 inches of color and a little mono speaker
just doesn't do this movie justice, and quite honestly, the movie
came off a little cheesy in such poor playback conditions. So, may I
suggest that when you rent this movie, have plans to watch it on a
crisp 27- incher or bigger TV screen, and hopefully you'll have that
baby plugged through your home stereo. It won't be the same as
sitting in the theater, but at least your feet won't stick to the
floor, if the kids are talking you can send them to their room, and
Jiffy Pop is tons cheaper than movie pop corn (remember to keep
shaking in circular motions over a low heat and you won't burn a
kernel!).
Anyway, below is my original review of the movie as I saw it in
the theater. I didn't get any new brilliant revelations for the
review, but I will say that watching it on my small screen reminded
me of how much I originally enjoyed seeing it on the big screen, and
also how wonderful Madonna's voice and just how lousy Antonio's is
(despite my crappy home video/audio system). Plus, I was still
choked up during the "He Must Love Me" musical sequence
(but I didn't cry). "Evita" is definitely worth renting if
you can watch it in peace and and on a good TV with stereo sound.
Otherwise I say your money is better spent elsewhere. Well, enough
of that, here's my original review.
Evita - A Movie Review by Stu Gotz.
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| Antonio Banderas and Madonna |
I just got done reading a "Big City" paper's review of the
movie "Evita." In it the reviewer comments that the film
lacked emotional and historical depth. Hmmm... I'd really have to
disagree with this schmuck (I always do). I was lucky enough to have
seen the play version of "Evita" twice by two different
tour companies. I will admit that seeing "Evita" performed
on-stage was more dramatically gratifying for me. None the less, the
screen version of "Evita" had people crying in their
seats. I guess common masses, and not the artsy critical fucks, were
stirred up by it's drama. I really have to give Oliver Stone and
Alan Parker credit for a fine job of translating the stage play to a
screen play. They didn't re-work it in such a way as to take
anything away and in fact added depth to the plight of Argentina's
poor working class that the stage play could not do. As far as this
movie lacking "historical depth," it was based upon a play
that pretty much left out a lot of historical details, so I won't
fault the movie for being shallow in it's history. The play/movie
(what ever) "Evita" was a musical written to tell a rags
to riches story with a slant. It was not intended to be a
documentary (for that tune in cables A&E).
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| Jonathan Pryce and Madonna |
For those of you who are not familiar with the musical "Evita"
allow me to simply lay it out for you. Evita was born the
illegitimate child of a middle class Argentinean man. Growing up she
was never acknowledged by the man nor afforded any luxury from him.
She basically scraped along by her wits and her back. At the age of
15 she escaped the poverty of her small home town and made it to the
big city. By spreading her legs for those who could help her out,
Evita got into modeling, acting, singing, hooked up into politics,
and married the soon to be President of Argentina (now that's what I
call sleeping your way to the top ...). Once on top she played the
political game and played it well. She afforded herself every luxury
she was ever denied while along the way she made herself a working
class saint by claiming to be of the people and for the people
(sound familiar?). By throwing out a few well published table scraps
to the poor she was embraced and idolized by them. (It's amazing
what a good publicist can do, isn't it?) I'm not saying Evita was a
manipulating hypocrite, but the movie does pose that very question,
allows Evita herself to justify her actions, and let's the audience
draw it's own conclusions.
Prior to this movie being released there was a lot of speculation
about how Madonna would do. With such gems as "Shanghai
Surprise" and "Body of Evidence" to her credit I
didn't expect her to fair very well. I guess director Alan Parker
recalled a joke by Eddie Murphy where he questioned Elvis' acting
ability and joked about him singing all his lines. That's pretty
much what Madonna does in this movie. She simply raises her hands,
sings (very well I must say), and dances a lot. Not a whole lot of
method acting was required of her in this movie. None the less,
Madonna carried herself well in the movie, but I wouldn't expect her
to receive a nod from the Academy for her acting in "Evita"
(Late breaking news Madonna wins a Golden Globe for Best Actress in
a Comedy or Musical - Maybe Stu could be wrong!?!). I would,
however, not find it surprising to see Antonio Banderas find his way
to a nomination by the Academy for his acting in "Evita."
Antonio is at his best with his movements and facial expressions.
Now if he could only get his singing voice together. Arrgg! Hey
Tony... Don't go pulling a John Travolta or a Bruce Willis by
releasing a solo album. Stick with acting.
The movie "Evita" is a well made translation of the
stage musical by the same name. The movie does lack quite a bit of
historical fact, but still presents an interesting and emotional
story which was supported by a great sound track and some
above average to excellent acting. The sets, costumes, and
cinematography (sorry to have to use such words) all come together
to make movie "Evita" one worth seeing and I give it 4 our
of 5 stars and I'm Stu Gotz. Hasta! |