Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas’ longtime companion, later married former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy
Scenario
Maria Callas, the world’s greatest opera singer, spends the final days of her life in 1970s Paris, coming to terms with her identity and her life. Angelina Jolie and director Pablo Larrain discuss how they connected to the heartbreaking true story of world-renowned opera singer Maria Callas. Kennedy was the subject of an earlier Pablo Larrain biopic, the 2016 film “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman. Maria Callas: Book me a table at a café where the waiters know who I am.
I’m in the mood for praise
Close-up reference: Why do we need a Venice Film Festival? (2024). "Maria" (2024), directed by Pablo Larraín, is a biopic about the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Callas in the final week of her life.
However, the film’s greatest weakness lies in its treatment of Callas
The film explores Callas’s complex and multifaceted life, delving into her personal and professional struggles. The film’s cinematography is visually stunning, and Larraín’s signature style uses bold colors and contrasts to convey the emotional intensity of Callas’s life. Jolie gives a powerful performance, perfectly capturing Callas’s vocal nuances and inner turmoil. The film switches between the past and present, allowing Jolie to showcase Callas’ singing abilities in both color and black-and-white images.
Scenes where Callas’s rage is described but not fully portrayed in reruns leave viewers feeling disappointed
life. Larrain and screenwriter Steven Knight often talk down to the audience, treating them as if they can’t comprehend anything more complex than “the iconic woman contains many people.” The film’s attempt to translate Callas’s complexity into easily digestible observations fails to fully capture the depth of her character. Furthermore, the film’s humorous moments are strangely detached and mannered, and it fails to create a sense of spontaneity in Callas’s character. Overall, “Maria” is a visually stunning film with strong performances, but it fails to fully explore the complexities of Callas’s life.
The film’s simplistic approach and lack of depth leave viewers wanting more
Rating: 6/10.. No need to waste time endlessly scrolling — here’s the full lineup of new movies and TV shows streaming on Netflix this month.