39/23

trilogy of female-led biopics, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021)

Scenario

The third and final film in Pablo Larraín’s so-called "Lady with Heels" trilogy of female-led biopics, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021). Maria Callas: Book me a table at a café where the waiters know who I am.

I’m in the mood for adulation

Referenced in Close-Up: Why do We Need the Venice Film Festival? (2024).

Just watched the film at a film festival

Our entire group was disappointed by what we watched.The story line was paper thin to us, focusing on the last part of her life, with major parts of the history around how events tied together left out. We would move from one scene to another without a clear link between sequences.The focus seemed to center around Jolie posing for us, rather removed from the charm of the real Maria.

I get it – Angelina is gorgeous but where was the spark?I never felt like I connected with the characters and didn’t feel bought into the film

There was a hollowness to this version of Maria Callas.As the end credits begin, there are scenes of the real Maria Callas – full of personality and charisma – which were unfortunately not depicted in Jolie’s performance.Gorgeous costume designs but that it was for me.