The movie in which Angelina Jolie plays the role of the opera legend Maria Callas. The movie about the icon is directed by Pablo Larraín and depicts the life of Maria and how she reached this fame. The film is all about her final days in 1977 which captures how she felt isolated because of her struggles as an artist. While the movie succeeded in portraying her life, it still lacked depth from the narrative’s point of view so it made people have mixed reviews.
Major transformation of Angelina Jolie
People appreciated the way she acted and portrayed Maria’s life and this earned her a very good respect. Jolie carried her act with grace and vulnerability and also showed her struggles in her personal as well as professional life. The acting and storyline made people think that this could make Jolie win an Oscar. Jolie studied very hard about Maria to understand her and also tried to mimic her singing style. People also thought that Jolie did justice to Maria’s character and she portrayed her as not just a famous singer but also someone who faced heartbreak and loneliness.
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The Story of Maria
The film reflects on Maria Callas as she balances her life and career. Maria’s voice was slowly fading and she struggled as she felt very lonely but she is celebrated as one of the greatest opera singers of all time and it is very well depicted in the film. The film looks at the highs and lows which also included her problematic love life with Aristotle Onassis, the man who left her for another woman named Jacqueline Kennedy. The movie mostly takes place in Maria’s apartment located in Paris and her personality is shown as a quiet person who is trying to find peace in her last days.
Beautiful Visuals portrayed in the movie
Maria’s two lives were beautifully captured by the cinematographer Ed Lachman and it also gave the audience a very stunning portrayal of Maria. The scenes which are set back to Paris in the 1970s are bright and glamorous which shows that she enjoyed her luxurious life during her peak success days. The cinematography changes to a dark side after she starts facing the challenges with her voice and love life. The shift in colors and lightning helps to tell her story visually as colors play a very important role in showing the emotions a person goes through.
Criticisms faced
The film gives an insight into the personal struggles of Maria Callas and focuses closely on her decline during her final days. Many fans feel that the movie did not focus enough on the passion and artistry that made her an icon in people’s eyes but still showcased the achievements and the love she had for her passion which also defined her life and career. Larrain is known for his skills to show his subjects’ private pain and their public legacy but the audience feels that the movie lacks the important aspects of her personality while focusing on her sadness and loneliness. The film’s dialogues are also heavily criticized because some lines are considered very dramatic. The moments make the audience feel it is exaggerated. According to the audience, she did not get the limelight she deserved because of the over-dramatic lines which made it less emotionally impactful.
Themes of Loneliness in Maria
Maria Callas, an incredible singer, who reached heights in her career but also faced many troubles in her personal life is portrayed beautifully in the film. It is shown that she faced deep isolation in the film through quiet, reflective scenes in which Callas wanders around her large and empty Paris apartment. There is silence and emptiness around her which shows how lonely she feels even after being a well-known opera singer. Maria was very much adored by her fans but the film centred around her sadness and not the happy moments. The connection she shared with her maid Bruna, who was very loyal to her, and her butler, Ferruccio showed the good companionship she had. These bonds made her happy other than the deep feeling of loneliness and it reminded the audience that even famous, big people rely on human connections and not just wealth.
Why should you watch the Movie?
A person who enjoys biographical dramas about famous people and appreciates vintage cinematography will genuinely enjoy watching this movie. The movie has great visuals of Paris in the 1970s and the luxurious life that Maria lived despite feeling lonely. The costumes also played a major role and were on point which impressed the audience in many ways. Angelina Jolie’s performance is the biggest highlight of the film as she carries Maria’s character very elegantly and gives her a hundred percent for the role by trying to learn even the little details of Maria.
Conclusion
Maria is a movie that showcases the reality of the music and entertainment industries and Maria is just one example of someone who feels lonely even after having every luxurious thing. The atmospheric storytelling made the movie stand out and got appreciation from many film reviewers. Even though the movie faced several challenges, it is a must-watch for people who love to see the complex life of celebrities and isolation.
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FAQs
- Who plays Maria Callas in the movie Maria?
Angelina Jolie plays the role of Maria Callas in the movie.
- What makes Angelina Jolie’s performance in Maria stand out?
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas has been praised for its grace, depth, and vulnerability. She studied Maria’s life in great detail to make it look better.
- Is the story of Maria more focused on her successes or her struggles?
The film focuses primarily on Maria’s decline, her personal struggles, and her emotional isolation.
