Angelina Jolie’s triumphant return: A deep dive into ‘Maria’
A night to remember at Telluride
As I settled into my seat for the North American premiere of Pablo Larraín’s biopic of Maria Callas at the Telluride Film Festival, starring Angelina Jolie as the legendary opera singer, a line from Al Pacino in The Godfather Part III (1990) echoed in my mind: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”
Jolie’s journey back to the Oscars
It’s been quite a while since Jolie was in the running for an Oscar—her last nomination was for 2008’s Changeling. Since then, she has mostly appeared in blockbuster films like Salt and Maleficent, or taken the director’s chair for movies such as Unbroken. However, her transformative portrayal of Maria Callas in Maria is a powerful reminder of her formidable acting talent. This role is a chameleonic turn that can best be described as a kind of cinematic possession. Larraín’s film, which follows Callas in her final days, should earn Jolie another invitation to the Oscars and place her among the frontrunners to take home a second prize, adding to the one she won for 1999’s Girl, Interrupted.
A role 25 years in the making
This is the kind of role Jolie has been waiting for over 25 years, one that fully utilizes her undeniable commitment to a character. In the film’s final moments, her craft becomes physically evident: veins pulsate from her temple, and her hands arch as if summoning the thespian warlords to carry her through the anguish Callas may have felt in her last moments. It’s a bona fide “Oscar clip,” if ever there was one.
The parallels between Jolie and Callas
Jolie’s performance is more powerful because there are clear parallels between her life as one of the most famous people on the planet and the misunderstood icon she portrays. Hollywood loves a comeback story, and this could follow the playbook of Renée Zellweger, who swept the 2019 awards season for playing Judy Garland in Judy after being largely absent from Oscar chatter following her win for Cold Mountain (2004).
Larraín’s trilogy of iconic women
Maria is part of Larraín’s trilogy of iconic women, which began with Jackie (2016), starring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, and Spencer (2021), with Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. It’s his strongest entry in the group, with a compelling character study penned by Oscar nominee Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, 2003). Larraín’s films are often described as “horror biopics,” but with Maria, he doesn’t always focus on the psychological torment Callas endured. Instead, he uses a fantastical musical approach, which feels refreshing and coincidentally aligns with a year that will see many unconventional musicals, such as Emilia Pérez and Joker: Folie à Deux, in Oscar contention.
The artisans behind the magic
It’s worth noting that while Larraín’s previous efforts earned Oscar nominations for their leading stars, they haven’t secured significant attention from the Academy in other categories. Netflix, which is releasing Maria, will try to change that narrative. This time, the artisans have more to admire, with luscious cinematography by Edward Lachman, who introduced the movie at Telluride alongside Jolie and Larraín. Additionally, Massimo Cantini Parrini’s evocative costumes and production and set design by Guy Hendrix Dyas and Sandro Piccarozzi will all be in the running for one of the five coveted slots. Pay special attention to the makeup and hairstyling race, as seen with the past three winning films—Poor Things (2023), The Whale (2022), and The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)—which also won for either lead actor or actress.
Netflix’s strategic push
With the backing of Netflix, Maria may have more muscular legs in the awards race than initially expected, but mixed praise must be overcome. Despite balancing other projects like Emilia Perez, The Piano Lesson, and His Three Daughters, a possible win for Jolie is something Netflix will likely aim for—and could achieve.
Dive deeper into the world of ‘Maria’
For those eager to explore more about this captivating film, check out the Maria trailer and information page. This will provide you with immediate access to additional details and multimedia resources, enriching your understanding and appreciation of this remarkable cinematic achievement.
Maria is not just a film; it’s a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the transformative potential of cinema. Whether you’re a fan of Jolie, Larraín, or simply a lover of compelling biopics, this film is a must-watch.