EVITA (65)

Directed by: Alan Parker

Starring: Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce

The Pitch: The musicalised story of Eva Peron, who rose (or slept her way) from illegitimacy and abject poverty to First Lady of Argentina.

Theo Sez: The Alan-Parker-could-never-make-a-bad-film (or, for some people, the Alan-Parker- makes-nothing-but-bad-films) bandwagon rolls on with this elaborate musical that should never have worked - an ancient score, a paper-thin story, a rock diva giving an admittedly terrible performance (two hours of vogueing, her alabaster face giving nothing away) - but in fact works thrillingly, at least till the last half-hour when it becomes clear that Parker and co. have nothing to say on their heroine, giving us all possible views of Eva Peron - saint, whore, politician, hypocrite - without making any distinction. Before that, however, the film's sense of rhythm is infectious, its intricately detailed montages - using a train whistle or the clatter of fencing-swords as punctuation, constantly adding visual interest - a model of intelligent spectacle, its echoes of old musicals (the upper classes' staccato singing a crib of MY FAIR LADY's "Ascot Gavotte") quietly pleasing, and Banderas' fiery performance filling in the gaps. Whenever he disappears from the film, the gaping hole at its centre is instantly exposed.