A POIGNANT TRIBUTE TO A DIVA'S FINAL DAYS – MARIA REVIEW (6/10)

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

Maria, a biographical drama that delves into the last days of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, offers a bittersweet glimpse into her life through flashbacks that highlight key moments in her illustrious and turbulent career. While it has its merits, the film falls short of being the masterpiece it aspires to be.

One of the film's greatest strengths is Angelina Jolie’s commanding performance as Maria Callas. She captures the diva with a mix of fragility and grandeur, embodying a woman torn between her art and personal struggles. The supporting cast also shines, with Pierfrancesco Favino delivering a subtle yet profound performance, and Alba Rohrwacher adding an air of understated brilliance to the film.

The cinematography is another standout, offering visually stunning compositions that reflect the elegance and drama of Callas’s world. However, the film leans heavily on theatricality, which, while visually striking, sometimes overshadows its emotional impact. The staging and dialogue feel better suited to a play than a cinematic experience, which can make it harder to fully connect with the story.

While the performances and visuals are compelling, Maria struggles with pacing and depth. The flashbacks, though informative, feel fragmented and fail to explore the most poignant moments of Callas’s life. This leaves the narrative feeling surface-level, lacking the substance and emotional resonance that such a story deserves.

In conclusion, Maria is a visually impressive film with strong performances, particularly from Jolie, Favino, and Rohrwacher. However, its theatrical execution and narrative shortcomings hold it back from achieving its full potential. Fans of Callas will likely appreciate the homage, but others may feel it’s a missed opportunity.

Poster by http://www.impawards.com/2024/maria.html

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