What prepared demos have you heard? Where?

Neither am I. I find that his work often has too much "noise" and too little focus. And Evita, specifically, is most unsuccessful because of Parker's choice to ignore the dramatic shaping that Harold Prince gave to the concept recording. The second half of the film is a rhythmic and structural disaster.



I don't think that any of the things that were wrong with Grease 2 had anything to do with Michelle Pfeiffer.


I think the song was also an attempt to find an alternative to the "Montage" (as much as it was an attempt to get a Best Song Oscar nomination). Ultimately, I can't decide which would have worked better on film - but by that time, the movie had completely lost its drive and much of its logic because of the way that they rhythm of the material was destoyed by seemingly random shifts of blocks of action.



I think it gives the audience time to breathe too. I like to think of the song as a kind of caesura, a moment when the audience can take stock of what has happened so far and shift their mindset for the rest of the first act. I also think it's important as the start of a sequence (which continues with "The Art of the Possible") where the audience is able to see the real consequences of and reactions towards Eva's action of living out her dreams.

Later days
David

The film is GREAT. no doubr about it. Madonna did an excellente job, Alan Parker did it too as well as the rest of the cast and team.
the film is unique. it is a masterpiece...

Piano

Um... Glen Close is Jewish... isn't she? Look at the nose!

Andy.

I love the film version of Evita. It's beautiful and well filmed. It's a great sign of how films of musicals should be; close enough to the stage show to be considered an adaption but with enough of a cinematic touch to be considered a different animal.

Some have complained about the "music video" style in which it was shot and I really don't have a problem with it, it works.

I don't have a problem with Madonna either, she does fine for me. Antonio, while charismatic, isn't really the vocal powerhouse that I would want for Che, his voice is just too thin. I think that if the film was made a few years earlier, the late Raul Julia could've been a great Che.

I also love "You Must Love Me", it's a great heartfelt addition to the score without being screwing up the pace or seeming unnecessary.

You Must Love Me, is totally out of character,it makes Eva too sympathetic. and that destroys any vestige of accuracy the film may have had before.

This prompted me to watch Madonna sing this on Youtube, at a glance there were only 2 versions available; one from the album with Phantom pics on it and one of her at the Oscars.

At the Oscars, it plainly shows that Madonna cannot act her way out of a paper bag. I prefer the track that is included in the movie (not on the soundtrack!). Emotions are visible/audible, a far superior performance.

I cry everytime I watch her Lament scene. It's so strong, and heartbreaking. I can't imagine how hard that must have been to do that scene.

Andy.