Evita

31 December 2018

Evita 1996

• Director: Alan Parker
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Madonna, Jonathan Pryce, Jimmy Nail, Antonio Banderas
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Madonna – A League of Their Own, Dick Tracy, Who’s That Girl?, Shanghai Surprise, Desperately Seeking Susan
• Jonathan Pryce – Wolf Hall, The White King, Woman in Gold, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Brothers Grimm, Very Annie Mary, Tomorrow Never Knows, Evita, Glengarry Glen Ross, Brazil, Timon of Athens and on stage (the Globe in London)The Merchant of Venice
• Jimmy Nail – Crocodile Shoes, Spender
• Antonio Banderas – Once upon a Time in Mexico, Frida, Philadelphia
•  Why? ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’
• Seen: Once before. Now 30 December 2018      

       In the 1930’s young, restless, ambitious Eva Duarte claws her way from poverty in rural Argentina to fame in Buenos Aries, using men and being used by men, from the sleazy crooner Augustin Magaldi (Nail) to Colonel Juan Perón (Pryce).

       She proves to be a political genius and wins the hearts of the people. Juan becomes president and Evita first lady, loved by the working class, hated by the ousted right-wing oligarchy.

       The hovering Che (Bandiero) warns her of how far the mighty have to fall.

       I had forgotten that it’s all singing, more opera than musical. I don’t like that. I didn’t like it in Les Misérables either. The music is often very Jesus Christ Superstar-y but some of it is quite strong and the scenes with ‘Don’t Cry’ are powerful. It’s gripping at times and it’s a pleasure to see Nail and Pryce in unusual roles. Bandiero is nice to look at and I’ve always liked Madonna.

       Flawed, in other words, but well worth seeing, and seeing again.

3 ½ * of 5