Approved for 12+
Evita
It is 1952 and Eva Peron is dead. Deeply shocked, Argentina mourns the premature death of this country girl whose meteoric rise to defender of the poor has changed the nation's history in a few short years. As told by the story-teller Che (ANTONIO BANDERAS), Eva Peron was born Eva Duarte, the illegitimate daughter of a penniless farmer in the tiny Pampas town of Junin, west of Buenos Aires. In 1926, at the age of 7, little Eva's life takes a dramatic turn when she and her family are cruelly refused access to their father's funeral. Still a teenager, Eva Duarte (MADONNA) attaches herself to a popular tango singer, Agustin Magaldi (JIMMY NAIL) and accompanies him to the Big City: Buenos Aires. Ambitious to succeed, and against great odds, Eva becomes an aspiring radio and film actress, eventually moving in influential circles within Buenos Aires society.Once her name is linked with the rising politician Juan Peron (JONATHAN PRYCE), tongues begin to wag. The couple's relationship is disapproved of by the Establishment and members of the military, leading to Peron's brief arrest and the populist revolt of october 17, 1945.
The couple marry and Peron is elected President with the inspirational Eva at his side. Eva establishes herself as an ardent supporter of Peronism and promotes her unique blend of democracy on her "Rainbow Tour" to Europe. The myth of `Saint' Eva Peron continues to grow as she forms "The Eva Peron Foundation" and tirelessly works to help and protect the country's poor, forming the Peronist Women's Party. As the masses induce her to run as a Vice Presidential candidate there is growing dissent amongst the military and other politicians towards her expanding political power. Tragically, Eva is diagnosed as having terminal cancer and, gravely ill, she renounces the Vice Presidency. When she dies the people of Argentina do cry for her. Immortalized by her followers, Eva Peron will never grow old.