• Release year: 2024
• Director: Pablo Larraín.
• Producers: Maren Ade, Jonas Dornbach, Simone Gattoni, Janine Jackowski, Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, and Lorenzo Mieli.
• Screenplay by: Steven Knight.
• Cinematography by: Edward Lachman.
• Music by: Sofía Subercaseaux.

Shotgun Commentary: an ode to the sad-girl trope.

Review

Have you ever sang Lana Del Rey at the top of your lungs because she makes you feel so seen? Are Girl Interrupted (1999) or The Virgin Suicides (1999) amongst your favourite films? Is Rue (Euphoria, 2019-present) one of your “literally me” characters? Oh boy, do I have a recommendation for you!

Maria is THE Oscar nominee you should be prioritising if you felt seen with any of the options described above. This biopic is a masterpiece of the sad-girl trope, embellishing depression, PTSD and drug abuse to glam levels seldom seen in cinema, and absolutely impossible to achieve in real life.

The drama of it all

Much like any other Callas fan, Larrain shares more his vision of her than the truth, showcasing just enough of her humanity to make you feel for her, while also keeping the mythological qualities and mystery of all the greatest. But no, this is not a setback.

There is nothing wrong with telling an artist’s story through a lens that preserves their magic, in fact, it is quite a difficult task to accomplish as there is a fine line between a magical narrative and a total fiction. A line that is toyed with but never crossed, utilising very cleverly the artistic licenses Callas’ life permitted, as well as an already legendary actress to play the Diva and an exceptional team of artists to get the look of the picture just right.

The film is not completely faithful to reality, but who cares? It is way more faithful than most press was while she was alive, so taking some dramatic licences to enhance the storytelling hardly seems like an affront. If you can make a biopic where you turn yourself into a monkey because you love obvious metaphors, you can exaggerate your subject’s condition in order to tell their story more beautifully. Let’s be honest, an interview where the mysterious Callas reveals everything that goes in her head is a lot more fun than just copying and pasting random, recreated moments of her life.

The soul and the looks

As for the cast, getting Angelina Jolie to play Callas is one of the best casting moves ever. Few people could possibly understand, much less recreate, the level of stardom, class, and struggle that Callas went through. The fact that Jolie decided to accept such a role alone is telling of their connection, a link that is further confirmed once you watch the film. The performance exudes empathy, respect, almost adoration, but also a deep understanding of Callas’ flaws and weak points.

The film is green, orange and all the tones in between. This colour palette is often used to represent dream-like states, much like the one Maria is portrayed to be at. Throughout the whole film, she is in between reality and delusion, with the occasional black-and-white interruptions of her memories. The camera follows her with reverence, always showing her best profiles and utilising the most flattering angels to make her look as magnificent on the outside as she was on the inside.

All in all, Maria is a film clearly made with respect and admiration. The portrayal of the Diva is aesthetically beautiful as well as textually entertaining. It is always a delight to see Jolie perform, and this time is no exception. If you like the sad-girl trope, this is a must-watch. However, if you simply enjoy beautiful films, the viewing is just as compulsory.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Sometimes a biopic is just a way to enjoy your idols for a little bit longer, and that’s OK.
• Never say no to the DRAMA.
• More Maria and less Eternals (2021) for Jolie from now on, please.

What’s your take? Have you watched Maria? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀