Angelina Jolie stars as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in “Maria,” a film that fails to capture her complex personality and life story. Directed by Pablo Larraín, the movie takes a fictionalized approach, glossing over most of Callas’s scandals in favor of showcasing her performances on stage.
The film highlights Callas’s struggles with self-confidence, addiction, and her relationships, particularly with Aristotle Onassis (Haluk Bilginer), whom she meets through opera glasses. However, Jolie’s portrayal feels one-dimensional, with Callas coming across as a narcissistic figure more concerned with her image than her art.
The movie’s focus on psychological portraiture is admirable, but it ultimately falls flat due to its inability to reveal any meaningful insights into Callas’s life or character. The supporting cast and cinematography are noteworthy, particularly in the film’s visually stunning sequences featuring Callas performing on stage.
Despite Jolie’s commitment to the role, “Maria” feels like a shallow exploration of its subject, failing to deliver an engaging and nuanced portrayal of the iconic opera singer. With too much focus on mood rather than substance, the film ultimately succumbs to its own self-absorption, leaving viewers underwhelmed.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/movies/maria-review-angelina-jolie.html