EVITA

"EVITA"
(1996) (Madonna, Antonio Banderas) (PG)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Mild	Mild	Mild	None	Moderate

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	None	None	Minor	Minor

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Mild	Moderate	Mild	Minor	Moderate

QUICK TAKE:: Musical Drama: A young woman climbs her way to the top of the Argentine social ladder during the 1930's, 40's, and 50's.

PLOT:: Eva Duarte (MADONNA) is a young woman with aspirations to move up through the social status of Argentina from the 1930's through the early 1950's. Guided by a musical narrator, Che (ANTONIO BANDERAS), we see that Eva climbs the ladder by climbing into bed with anyone who can help her attain her goals. She goes from being a fashion model, to a radio and then movie star. It is then that she uses her status to meet Colonel Juan Peron (JONATHAN PRYCE), a man jockeying to one day become President of Argentina. She sees Peron as her next rung to climb, and he leaves the military to pursue their common goal of helping the workers and the poor. Soon they're a couple and he's elected President. Eva then uses her position to fulfill her own agenda.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Not unless they're fans of Madonna or of the Broadway musical from which this is based.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG: For thematic elements, images of violence and some mild language.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: MADONNA plays a strong-willed woman who sleeps her way to success.
JONATHAN PRYCE plays the former Colonel who, along with Eva, strives to bring equality and justice to those who have neither.; JONATHAN PRYCE plays the former Colonel who, along with Eva, strives to bring equality and justice to those who have neither.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

OUR TAKE: 3 out of 10: Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, this is a grand spectacle, but it's emotionally shallow and fails to involve the audience as it should. Just like a Disney attraction (their Hollywood Pictures produced the film), this production is all flash and no substance. The audience never gets emotionally involved with the characters or the story and thus boredom soon sets in. There are a few rousing musical numbers (obviously "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" being the strongest and most recognizable), but others are flat and completely out of sync with the time frame the story's set in. Evidently that's the way the staged musical is, with rock numbers (electric guitars and all) playing in a period piece before rock music was invented. As jolting as that is, it only adds to the MTV feel of this production. It's doubtful this film will usher in the rebirth of the live action musical and, compared to its forbearers, this one pales considerably. For a great filmed musical, check out "The Sound of Music" or the more recent animated hit, "Beauty and the Beast" rather than this one. Director Alan Parker's previous work ("The Commitments," "Mississippi Burning," etc...) has been brilliant at times and usually filled with depth. Not so with this one. "Evita" is like a brilliant fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. It's fun to watch at first, but after an hour or so it gets rather boring. We give it a 3 out of 10.

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:: Other than some violent scenes of police suppressing rioters with billy clubs and the military firing some shots and blowing up some buildings, there isn't much more to object to in this film. Eva does sleep her way to success, but nothing's ever seen and that's only a small portion of the film. There is some drinking and smoking, but since this is a period piece, it can be somewhat forgiven and isn't done to any extreme. While it's doubtful kids will want to see this (unless they're Madonna fans), you should still read the category listings if they do.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: Che drinks a shot of liquor in a bar.
People are often seen drinking (beer, wine, cocktails) in clubs and/or restaurants.
People drink during a fund raiser and then later at Peron's inauguration.
Military officers drink in several scenes.

BLOOD/GORE: A few people are a little bloody after being pulled from earthquake damage.
Che's face is a little bloody after a riot.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Eva sleeps her way up the ladder of success without regard to the men she does that with (and even turns away the romantic advances of her husband after she's snagged him).

GUNS/WEAPONS: Tanks/Machine guns: Used by the military during coups and during civilian riots.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Eva uses sex to get ahead in life.
Eva's mother spits at the feet of another woman when she and her children aren't allowed into her previous husband's funeral.
Phrases: "Screw the middle class," "Bitch," "Whore," and "Moron."
During a musical number, the "f*ck you" gesture (hand into other bent and raised arm) is given several times.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): The word "hell" is heard in one song, and the phrase "making love" in another.

SEX/NUDITY: We see Eva (at age 15) in bed with another man and it's noted that they've had a one night stand. No nudity or sexual movement is seen.
It's then noted that Eva slept with many men to climb her ladder of success, but other than a man sliding part of her top down to reveal her bare shoulder, nothing else is seen.

SMOKING: People smoke in a movie theater.
People are often seen smoking in clubs and restaurants and in the background of other scenes.
Che smokes a cigar.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: There are two funeral scenes with distraught family members in one, and citizens at another.

VIOLENCE: People occasionally smash windows and other property and are then beaten by the police and/or the military in several scenes.
The military fires upon the rioters and several people are shot (but nothing graphic).
Eva hits a man (whom she's just slept with) with a suitcase.
A train explodes, car by car, but no one is seen being hurt.
Soldiers burst into a railroad union office and tear the place up.

Reviewed January 2, 1996

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