In Maria, Angelina Jolie delivers a dramatically insightful portrait of the life of famous Greek soprano and opera singer Maria Callas. Source: Australian Catholics.
The film blends skilful writing with a subtle interpretation of the joys and suffering of Callas, who is acknowledged as one of opera’s finest singers.
Maria is a psychological drama that follows closely the life of Callas before her death in Paris, and is an international co-production from Italy, Germany and the US.
Jolie’s clothing in the film was based on Callas’s garments, and Jolie was trained to lip-sync the songs.
History has shown that significant tragedy and joy accompanied Maria Callas through her life. She led the life of a beloved diva, but knew when her penetrating voice was fading so that she could resist the pressure on her to sing.
The film shows Callas pacing her Paris apartment together with her pet poodles. Callas agreed to a valedictory television interview by a journalist called Mandrax, who was named by her to acknowledge her favourite drug medication, which becomes a focus in the movie.
The film highlights Callas’ performances in the concert halls of Europe and the US, as well as the loss of her love Aristotle Onassis, who abandoned her to marry Jacqueline Kennedy.
Jolie delivers a remarkable performance, living and breathing the life of Callas. For opera enthusiasts, the movie is filled with exceptional singing by Maria Callas.
Review by Peter Sheehan, Jesuit Media.
Maria: Starring Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher and Kodie Smit-McPhee. Directed by Pablo Larrain. Rated M (Mature themes, coarse language and drug use). 123 min.
FULL REVIEW
Maria (Australian Catholics)
