I confess I didn’t know much about famed opera singer Maria Callas. I do now, as the movie Maria inspired me to google the renowned diva. It’s not often a movie does that.
Once revered for her wide-ranging voice, renowned opera singer Maria Callas was also known to be a temperamental diva.
“Nearly thirty years after her death, she’s still the definition of the diva as artist—and still one of classical music’s best-selling vocalists.” Opera News.
We enter the world of Maria (Angelina Jolie) as she lives out her final days in Paris. Born in 1923 she is only 54.
The movie reimagines her living a reclusive life, a life that gives her a sense of control and freedom after years in the public eye. While Callas reflects on her glamorous life, she must reconcile that with her current identity.
She sneaks off to a theatre where she attempts to sing, not for an audience but for herself. Her goal? To reach perfection one last time.
While there’s a brief hint at a tough upbringing during the war, the movie concentrates on her near-sightedness, that left her nearly blind on stage, her dramatic weight loss and scandalous life. Much is made of her love affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
As we left the theatre I pondered:
- The movie is another reminder about the perils of fame, of handing over control to others, and losing yourself to drugs;
- It also reminds us that those we love can hurt us the most and that growing old is tough;
- The look of the movie is delightful. Autumnal tones and muted images perfectly convey the era;
- Jolie successfully emanated the grace of Callas;
- However, I must admit the scenes of Jolie singing broke the movie spell. With such a famous actress it’s hard to see past the mime.
Coming Jan 30th. For more information go to Luna Cinema
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