37/18
We’re in the mood for peeling
Tale
Maria Callas, the world’s greatest opera singer, lives her last days in Paris in the 1970s as she confronts her identity and her life. Aristotle Onassis, longtime partner of Maria Callas, later married former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Kennedy was the subject of a previous Pablo Larraín biopic, 2016’s “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman. Maria Callas: Book a table in a cafe where the waiters know who I am. In close-up reference: Why do we need the Venice Film Festival? (2024). Pablo Larraín’s Maria is triumphant. This movie was everything I wanted it to be and more, which is a huge pleasure when I really like this unofficial movie series that Pablo created.
Classic, romantic, bleak, beautiful
Something about them feels so innovative and different. Of the three, Maria feels the most traditional – less subversive, not so experimental. Even then, it doesn’t fall into the typical tropes of other biopics. Maria is great and gorgeous, as is Spencer (and Jackie). However, it is even larger in scope than its predecessors, and often colder, for good reason. The atmosphere created for the storm was absolutely stunning. The sets and costumes were beautiful. The cinematography was equally amazing.
And of course the music
The band soared in the theater. Music often gave me the most emotions and the most chills. Of course, Angelina Jolie is the centerpiece of the film. I have to say that after Spencer, I really wanted Pablo to stick the landing with Maria as a grand finale, just because the first two were so brilliant. As soon as Angelina was announced as the lead, I knew I was in good hands. Until now, he had only been recognized by the Academy for his more dramatic performances, but this now showed that he is getting just as much attention through subtlety. His character is constantly terrifying, but he never needs to shout to focus on every word he says. To achieve intimidation and embody such an iconic diva, they needed someone who could command any room.
Everything was pure perfection
Jolie could not have been a better choice. This is one of the best comeback performances I’ve seen on screen. That last sequence destroyed it for me, Jolie’s performance never overshadowed the rest of the film that we did so masterfully. The writing was incredible – so witty and clever and often poetic. As for direction, Pablo Larraín is firing on all cylinders for this final entry in his trilogy. I don’t have notes, really. They built so many streaks to break in the best possible way. He doesn’t get enough praise for the way he executed this film.
This makes these jobs a bit more official
At the end of the day, this trilogy makes the actresses in them stand out. But with Maria, I realize that these performances are as much a vehicle for Larraín’s brilliance as a showcase for the actresses. talents. The build up to this movie has me on the verge of tears for almost the entire running time, I couldn’t be happier with the movie as a whole and how it wraps up this trilogy by linking the movies together. As a fan, I especially appreciated the two scenes that connect Maria with Jackie. It’s the best movie I’ve seen all year so far and an instant favorite of the decade, and it’s a blessing if… ; a project you’ve been waiting for so long. It definitely gave me a new love and appreciation for opera that I didn’t have before. After that I played Opera all night, for the first time.
40/40
