MARIA CALLAS, the quintessential diva of 20th-century opera, might not sing to everyone’s taste, but her life—filled with glamour, heartbreak, and relentless pressure—transcends the operatic stage.
In Maria, Angelina Jolie delivers a compelling performance as Callas during the final weeks of her life, capturing the fragility and fire of a woman who lived in the spotlight but died in solitude.
Intimate
The film avoids being a melodramatic ode to opera and instead offers an intimate exploration of Callas’s human side.
We see the toll of fame: the weight of perfection, the loss of love, and the loneliness that comes with being deified.
Jolie’s portrayal is nuanced, conveying both Callas’s vulnerability and her unapologetic defiance.
Even for someone who isn’t a fan of opera, Jolie’s performance makes Callas’s struggles relatable.
The recreating of some of Maria’s famous operas scenes interwoven with her trying to find her voice in her last weeks was sadness personified, reminding me that the good times, your youth and best years of your life, will pass.
The cinematography adds to the poignancy, with Paris’s moody streets mirroring Callas’s isolation; which we all feel at some time, but how great would it be to have the Parisienne vibe as your background for contemplation.
The sparse but meaningful inclusion of her music underscores key moments, giving glimpses of why she was revered without alienating those unfamiliar with opera.
The film’s strength lies in its ability to humanise a legend.
It’s less about opera and more about the universal pressures of living up to the world’s expectations while grappling with personal demons.
Jolie was a perfect choice for the role, embodying Callas’s grace, strength and inner turmoil.
For anyone intrigued by the complexities of fame or the lives of iconic women, directed by Pablo Larrain who also directed Spencer and Jackie, Maria is a must-watch—whether or not you enjoy opera.
4/5 chickens
by PAULA HOLLAND
Perth Voice Interactive 
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