Evita traces the life of Eva Duarte (later PeronPerón) from a child from the lower class to becoming the first lady and spiritual leader of [[Argentina]]. Early in the film, Eva is seen as a small girl attempting to attend her father's funeral in the town of Junin with her mother and siblings. But her father's wife and other family (who are middle class) ban Eva's family from entering and carry Eva out screaming after she runs in on her own.
At age 15, Eva decides to leave Junin to seek a better life and hitches a ride to [[Buenos Aires]] with a lounge singer with whom she's having an affair. She progresses through several relationships with increasingly influential men until her fateful meeting with Colonel [[Juan PeronPerón]] at a fundraiser. PeronPerón's connection with Eva lends him a populist air since she is from the working class. Eva has a radio show during PeronPerón's rise and uses all her skills to promote PeronPerón even when the controlling administration has him jailed to try and stunt his political momentum. The groundswarm of support Eva generates forces the government to release PeronPerón and he finds the people enamored with him and Eva. PeronPerón wins election to the presidency and Eva promises the new government will serve the "descamisados" (translates to "those without shirts"). Eva establishes a foundation and does distribute aid while the PeronistsPerónists otherwise plunder the public treasury. Argentina is very class based and the military corps and social elites despise Eva's common roots and affinity for the poor. During a world tour Evita becomes ill and is rushed home. Eventually her condition worsens to the point she has to be carried around in a wheelchair. Towards the end of her life she understands she is terminally ill but rationalizes that her life was short because she shone like the "brightest star" and helps Juan prepare to go on without her. The entire nation seems to be standing outside her palace window when the light goes out, signifying her death.
The principal tension of the film is between Eva and Che (Antonio Banderas) who serves and a narrator/critic, originally supporting Evita and Juan PeronPerón and then falling away from them as they waver from their populist pledge. The film concludes with an incredible state funeral for Evita, who is beloved by the people and who gets a goodbye kiss from Che.
'''Tagline''': The Most Anticipated Motion Picture Event of the Year.
