Angelina Jolie carries this operatic extravaganza
Maria (2024) is a surreal and opulent movie on the legendary opera singer, Maria Callas. It is helmed by Pablo Larraín and is his third instalment of 20th-century women biopics following Jackie and Spencer. But this womanly enterprise acknowledges another female legend and that is Angelina Jolie who makes her Hollywood comeback as the titular character.
From the get-go, viewers know that they are in for a ride as the movie opens with one of Callas’ popular pieces. And if we were ever in doubt of Jolie’s skill to play such a challenging role, that is put to rest as a montage gives us a quick glimpse of what the movie will be and that includes Jolie performing on the stage.
After all, along with her popular action movies like Lara Croft and Salt, she has excelled with niche and psychological narratives as evinced in Girl Interrupted and Changeling.
And her charming natural aura perfectly complements this operatic extravaganza. Each element is well thought out from the scene compositions and the soft, romantic lighting to the grand costumes, the theatrical sets and the emotional music which accompanies the plot. The warm lighting, in particular, is truly refreshing after the last few years of dark, underexposed remakes and franchise movies.
Even viewers with no prior opera knowledge can enjoy this beautiful treat to the eyes and ears as Maria relives the ups and downs of Maria Callas’ illustrious career as she spends her last few years in Paris, trying to regain her lost singing voice. The real Maria Callas’ songs are used to immerse viewers into her world and Jolie does a tremendous job as her spokesperson.
However, the dialogues are wordy and prosaic. They don’t feel like something a person would say in real life, even for a diva of the 1970s like Callas.
And while Maria is a one-man show, there are certain characters who contribute to the plot and urge Callas along. They come and go in the form of the house staff worrying about her or her arrogant partner, Aristotle Onassis who tries to control her. But none of them are fleshed out, they are one-dimensional plot devices to prop up Maria like her costumes, her hair, the sets.
There are pacing quirks as well; at times Maria is slow while at other times, it speeds up through important segments such as her relationship with Onassis or her tragic past during World War II. We are never allowed more than a glimpse even though this movie is all about reliving one’s past.
However, the emotional quotient wins back viewers once we realise the high stakes of what Maria is trying to achieve. A comparison of her at her peak and her voice at the end of her life breaks hearts. And the fact that we can hear Jolie singing adds that much more gravitas to the scene. When she cries while singing in the final number, it makes Callas human, a side we wouldn’t have otherwise seen.
This movie is also a testament to Jolie’s commitment to the role and the sound department. Learning that they meshed both Jolie and Callas’ singing vocals to give viewers a realistic sound that suits Jolie makes it that much more impressive. And if nothing else, we expect Angelina Jolie and the sound department to sweep all the awards.
Read More: Maria Ending Explained
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Verdict - 7/10
7/10