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Over the last eight years, Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín has made a triptych of biographies about famous women, starting withJackie, thenSpencer, and nowMaria. StarringAngelina Jolieas Maria Callas, one of the most iconic opera singers in all of history,Mariais incredibly intriguing, even if it is uneven. AlthoughMariasuffers from pacing issues that could cause viewers to lose interest in the second act, its visual grandeur, strong performances, and ambitious thematic swings make it a worthy film.
MariaReview
Mariafollows the iconic opera singer in the final days of her life in Paris as she reflects on her life. Like the rest of Larraín’s “melancholic” trilogy,Mariais far from your traditional biography. Although it tells the story of one of the most famous women of all time, it’s far more interested in the interiority of her experience than recounting the glory days of her life.
The most interesting thing aboutMariais how it explores the theme of fame in such an unorthodox, vulnerable way. Many movies about fame are cautionary tales about how fame corrupts, butMariaexplores how Callas associates the spotlight with a loss of control — in her image, her voice, and, most importantly, her passion for the art she creates.
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In this way,Mariaprovides the audience with a protagonist that is much more layered than typical for a biopic. Writer Steven Knight is uninterested in adulation, even when Callas’s self-esteem becomes a point of central conflict in the story. He seemingly wants us to pity her and be remorseful for the pain we put her through, and this bleak tone creates some of the film’s most significant pacing issues.
Setting the movie in the final days of its subject’s life makes it feel like we are participating in a cinematic funeral procession. It’s somber, bleak, and often uncomfortable to sit through. There are also many different threads that come together and unravel over the course of the script, making it difficult to get fully invested in any one through-line.
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Still, Jolie has such a commanding presence in the lead role that she is able to transfix the audience nevertheless. Jolie’s career is interesting in that she is one of the most well-regarded performers in Hollywood, yet she hasn’t done much in the way of “prestige” work, instead opting for more mainstream projects. Yet, we all know how talented she is, and she brings every ounce of herself to this role. It is unquestionably one of the most vulnerable things Jolie has ever done, and it’s an utterly beautiful turn.
But for as divaish as one would expect this film to be, considering that it is about one of the most iconic divas of all time, after all, Jolie leaves plenty of room for herMariasupporting cast. Pierfrancesco Favino and Alba Rohrwacher are wonderful in their supporting roles as Callas’s butler and housekeeper, while Kodi Smit-McPhee stands out in a refreshingly atypical spin on the interviewing journalist frame.
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Of course, the biggest highlight ofMaria— as is the case with Larraín’s other English-language movies — is its lavish visual style. The work of cinematographer Ed Lachman (who was Oscar-nominated for last year’s Larraín filmEl Conde) is incredibly complex, using the camera in fascinating ways to create metaphorical distance. The production design and costume design are also stunning to look at.
IsMariaworth watching?
Indeed,Mariacontains several elements that are genuinely superb, but audiences might struggle with the lethargy of Steven Knight’s script. However, those who manage to engage with the movie despite its pacing will be rewarded with a challenging, intriguing, and unconventional biopic.
Mariascreened at the 2024 Austin Film Festival, which runs October 24-31. It hits theaters on November 27 and streams on Netflix beginning December 11.
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Sean Boelman
Managing Editor for Film and TV
Articles Published :441
Sean is the Managing Editor for Film and Television, working to determine editorial strategy for the critics team. He has been on the FandomWire team since 2022.In addition to writing reviews himself, Sean helps match writers on the FandomWire team with assignments that best fit their interests and expertise.
