User Reviews

Eva Duarte Peron, that mythical figure larger than life, was a controversial woman during her lifetime. According to who one listens to, she was either a saint, adored by the humble classes, or a devil that manipulated her way to the top, taking millions away from the same people she was trying to help.

"Eva Peron", the biopic about her life, presents her in a good light. The screen play by Jose Pablo Feinmann treats her as though she was a misunderstood person who was at odds with the oligarchy of Argentina, who hated her because they saw in her a wild opportunist who was ruthless with the enemies she made along her way to the top. In fact, nothing is made out of the many people that Eva was instrumental in driving them out of the country, as was the case with many legitimate artists that couldn't work after the Perons came to power.

Basically, Eva Peron was a determined woman. She saw what illegitimacy did to her mother and family. She escaped to Buenos Aires because she saw herself as an actress, something that never happened because she had no talent. Instead, she attracted a military man who proved to be the best thing that happened to her. By joining forces with Juan Peron, she was elevated to the role she tried to play all her life, but no one would cast her in it: the first lady of the nation!

Eva, if we are to believe what Mr. Feinmann wrote about her, totally dominated the relationship as she "wore the trousers" in the Casa Rosada, for all practical purposes. Eva Peron understood the power of reinvention. She went from an obscure third rate radio and film actress into the model of generosity as she had the final word in everything that mattered in the country. By creating her foundation to help the "shirtless", as she called the poor, she became her own best creation.

One thing comes clear in the film: Eva Peron hated the rich classes. She was a bastard in a land where illegitimacy was a sin. It is clear that by pretending to be with the poor she was perceived as a saint. At the same time, she lived in luxury that dazzled the same classes she advocated to be the leader. By dying Eva became an even larger mythical figure and became immortal.

Juan Carlos Desanzo directed well paying attention to a visual style of the times when Eva lived. The best thing is Esther Goris, who as Eva Peron, makes this legend come alive in front of our eyes. Ms. Goris bears an uncanny resemblance to her character, and her mannerisms, evoking a bygone era with tremendous panache. Ms. Goris' Eva is full of 'earthy' talk, as befitting a woman of her background. Victor Laplace is also good as Juan Peron.

The only thing that doesn't come across in the film is the love Juan felt for his wife, as the movie only concentrates on how Eva was instrumental for the success of Peron and his followers in Argentina.

Eva Peron (1996): Esther Goris, Victor Laplace, Irma Cordoba, Christina Banegas, Pepe Novoa, Lorenzo Quinteneros, Tony Vilas, Enrique Liporace, Jorge Petraglia, Tony Lestingi, Leandro Regunaga, Fernando Sureda, Carlos Roffe, Danilo Devizzia, Miguel Tarditti, Jean Pierre Reguerras, Horacio Roca, Francisco Napoli, Ariel Bonomi, Luis Herrera, Joselo Bella, Eduardo Ruderman, Fernando Alvarez, Ramon Acuna, Manuel Roson, Ernesto Catalan, Valeria Lorca, Dario Contartese, Gabriela Lopez, Jorge Marino, Ines Rey, Martin Coria, Nora Mercado, Pablo Carnaghi,Enrique Flynn, Zulema Calperin.....Juan Carlos Desanzo...Screenplay Jose Pablo Feinmann.

When this film by Argentine Director Juan Carlos Desanzo was released, it coincided with the American release of Andrew Lloyd Webber's film adaptation of his musical "Evita" which starred Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The film did not fare well at the box office and it unfortunately affected this brilliant film, which presents a rather half-truth version but well dramatized account of the life of Argentina's most famous first lady Eva Peron. For many reasons, this film is both good and bad. Many viewers and critics find fault with the rather bad cinematography and film editing (the look of the film is not that of a film but more of a made for TV movie) but they hardly recognize the precious quality of such aspects as the music by Jose Luis Castineira or the costume designs by Leonor Puga Sabate, as well as the art direction and production. The film was not made in a studio. Rather it was shot in various locations in Argentina, though mainly in its capital of Buenos Aires. This film is one that an authentic Argentinian film director produced and is his loving tribute to the great Eva, a woman who is still loved in Argentina. All the actors, too, are Argentine. Esther Goris stars as Eva Duarte Peron, who rose to power from humble beginnings as a struggling actress in film and radio during the early 1940's. Her romance with Juan Peron, a decorated soldier with political ambitions, leads to marriage. He becomes President and soon Eva finds herself in the center of the political arena. Argentina is suffering from a huge economic crisis and poor, working-class laborers need someone to represent them and defend their rights. Socialists, ex-Nazis and a stuffy upper-class oligarchy have all made things difficult for the poor to have a voice. Along comes Eva, who had known poverty and is now playing a new role - that of a strong, nearly dictator-like leader. She establishes the Foundation Eva Peron and raises worker's salaries, provides them with health benefits and vacations and generally defends the poor and minorities from the cruel and disdainful politics of the rich. She is a lot like a Latin Eleanor Roosevelt, far outshining her President husband. She faces discrimination, hatred and opposition from the upper classes, from the military, from Socialists and causes controversy because she's a woman and an ex-actress, a profession that was not admired at the time in Argentina and in fact linked with prostitution. Ester Goris's portrayal is that of a tough, gutsy Evita whose spirit is unbreakable. Before long, Eva Peron is offered the position of Vice President, but she acquires cancer and dies at the age of 33 in 1953. The scenes in which she undergoes unsuccessful operations and is visibly becoming worse is heartbreaking and difficult to watch, yet tough Evita battles on even when she is ill. The ending is so moving. Esther Goris resembles Eva Peron in her final years and her performance is definitely Oscar worthy (Foreing Picture). She is fearless, relentless and because she is so outspoken, she is both loved and hated. Her enemies plot her demise but we never see them triumph. Nice touches include her relationship with a homosexual wardrobe designer, who also represents a hated minority group and shares Eva's views. Victor Laplace as Juan Peron has terrific chemistry with Goris. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles. Frankly, this film can be enjoyed by two types of viewers: an audience who has seen th Webber musical and enjoyed it and wish to learn more about Eva's life and history lovers who wish to see a drama based on her life. While this film is lovely and looks realistic, it is not entirely truthful. Eva Peron was probably never as outspoken or as vigorous as Esther Goris, and certain aspects of her life are omitted (she had a Swiss bank account made from the money from her Foundatation) and the film skips her rise to power. She was in several Spanish language films and was said to be a lousy actress. The film, however, is a fine tribute to a fine woman, one who dared to be different at a time when actresses were not respected enough to become political figures. A splendid film and highly recommended.