Angelina Jolie stars as opera legend Maria Callas in a biopic exploring her life and struggles leading up to her final days
New York City: So, have you heard about Angelina Jolie’s new movie? It’s called “Maria,” and it’s all about the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Jolie plays Callas during the last week of her life, but the film also takes us back through her incredible career.
The director, Pablo Larrain, is known for his unique style. Remember “Jackie” with Natalie Portman? Yeah, he did that too. His films dive deep into the emotional lives of famous women, and “Maria” is no exception. It’s got that same vibe, mixing the past and present in a really interesting way.
Now, who was Maria Callas? She was a major figure in the 20th century, and her story is just as captivating as her voice. Born to Greek immigrant parents in New York, she had a tough relationship with her mom, who pushed her to sing from a young age. Callas once said she felt her childhood was stolen because of it.
After moving to Greece, she got serious about her music and made her professional debut in 1941. It didn’t take long for her to shine, especially after her stunning performance in “Tosca.” People started calling her “The God-Given” because of her incredible vocal range.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Callas had a rocky relationship with her mother, and after a trip to Mexico, they never spoke again. She had some major moments in her career, like when she sang two very different roles in just a few weeks. That’s pretty rare in the opera world!
In the early ’50s, she lost a ton of weight, thinking it would help her career. But some say that took a toll on her voice later on. Critics were divided about her unique sound, and there were rumors of a rivalry with another soprano, Renata Tebaldi. They both admired each other, but the press loved to stir the pot.
Callas was also known for her high-profile romance with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, which was quite the scandal, especially since she was married at the time. Their affair lasted a decade until he married Jackie Kennedy, which added more drama to her life.
She gave her last performance in 1965 and later acted in a film called “Medea,” but it didn’t do well commercially. In her final years, she lived mostly in isolation in Paris and sadly passed away at just 53 from a heart attack. Jolie’s film captures the moments leading up to her death, with flashbacks to her remarkable life.
Jolie is getting rave reviews for her portrayal, and she’s in the running for Best Actress at the Oscars. It’s a crowded field, but her performance as Callas is definitely making waves. “Maria” hits UK cinemas on January 10, so mark your calendars!
