Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín and written by Steven Knight, is a deeply moving and contemplative biographical drama that explores the final days of Maria Callas, one of the most iconic and celebrated opera singers of all time. The film, set during the week leading up to Callas’ death, presents a raw and intimate portrait of a woman grappling with the complexities of fame, decline, and self-worth. Anchored by the mesmerizing performance of Angelina Jolie in the title role, the film navigates the emotional and psychological depths of its protagonist as she reflects on a life once filled with grandeur but now marked by isolation and loss.

The Life of Maria Callas

Maria Callas, born in 1923 in New York City to Greek immigrant parents, became one of the greatest opera singers the world has ever known. With a voice that transcended the boundaries of classical music, Callas was celebrated for her emotional depth, vocal range, and dramatic presence on stage. Her rise to fame was meteoric, with performances at some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, including La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and Covent Garden in London. Yet, despite her success, Callas’ personal life was tumultuous, marked by a series of high-profile relationships, including a deeply passionate and ultimately doomed affair with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

Callas’ vocal career began to decline in the 1960s, as her voice deteriorated due to a combination of physical and emotional factors. By the time of her death in 1977, Callas had withdrawn from the public eye, living in relative seclusion in her Paris apartment. Maria (2024) picks up at this moment in Callas’ life, capturing her final days as she navigates the painful reality of her lost voice and her fading legacy.

Plot Overview: A Week in Maria’s Life

Maria’s tale unfolds during the last week of her life, a period when she is no longer the opera diva that the world once adored. The film opens with a sense of quiet melancholy, showing Maria in her Paris apartment, surrounded by the ghosts of her past. She is physically frail, emotionally distant, and heavily reliant on prescription drugs to cope with the emotional and physical toll of her declining health. The apartment, once a lavish sanctuary, now feels cold and sterile, mirroring Maria’s internal state.

Her only companions are Ferruccio, her loyal butler, and Bruna, her housekeeper, who serves as both a confidante and caretaker. The dynamics of these relationships provide much of the emotional core of the film, as Ferruccio and Bruna serve as the last remnants of the world that Maria once inhabited—a world filled with opulence, prestige, and attention. The film poignantly illustrates how Maria’s once-vibrant existence has become reduced to the small, private space of her apartment, with little contact with the outside world.

Though Maria has not performed in four years, she still sings—albeit only in the kitchen for Bruna and her two dogs. These private moments are filled with nostalgia and longing for a time when she was able to sing before thousands, her voice captivating audiences worldwide. Her vocal ability, however, is not what it once was. The once-magnificent instrument that brought her acclaim is now fragile, its power and clarity slipping away.

Despite this, Maria is encouraged by a voice coach, who believes that the spirit of the diva still resides within her. The coach, played by Pierfrancesco Favino, is the only one who dares to challenge Maria to practice, to hold on to the hope of a comeback. He offers Maria a sense of purpose in her final days, urging her to reconnect with the music that once defined her life. Their sessions are filled with emotional intensity as Maria confronts the loss of her voice and the reality of her fading relevance. These moments serve as a poignant exploration of what it means to be a once-celebrated artist now facing the end of her journey.

Themes: Fame, Isolation, and the Passage of Time

At its heart, Maria (2024) is an exploration of the passage of time and the complex relationship between fame and personal identity. Throughout the film, we witness Maria’s internal struggle as she comes to terms with her own mortality and the inevitable decline of her voice, which was once her greatest asset. The loss of her vocal prowess symbolizes a broader loss of self-worth, as Maria’s entire identity had been tied to her voice and her ability to command the stage.

The theme of isolation is also central to the narrative. Maria has spent much of her life in the public eye, yet the film portrays a woman who, in her final days, finds herself profoundly alone. Her relationships with Ferruccio and Bruna are her only connections, yet even these are tinged with a sense of distance. Maria’s self-imposed isolation is not just physical; it is also emotional. She has pushed away the world that once adored her, retreating into the confines of her apartment as she confronts her own decline.

Fame, too, is examined in the film through the lens of Callas’ career. Maria’s ascent to the pinnacle of opera stardom brought her admiration and adulation, but it also brought pain, heartbreak, and a sense of emptiness. Her fame, as depicted in the film, is both a gift and a curse—a source of validation and pride, but also a constant reminder of the sacrifices she made along the way. The film raises questions about the price of fame, asking whether it is worth the cost of personal happiness and emotional well-being.

Performances: Angelina Jolie’s Masterful Portrayal

Angelina Jolie’s performance as Maria Callas is nothing short of extraordinary. She brings both vulnerability and strength to the role, capturing the complex emotions of a woman who has experienced the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight. Jolie’s portrayal of Maria is deeply nuanced, conveying the internal turmoil of a woman struggling to reconcile her past glory with the reality of her present decline.

Jolie’s physical transformation for the role is also remarkable, as she effectively channels the essence of Callas, from her iconic appearance to her distinctive vocal style. The actress studied Callas’ performances and mannerisms to ensure that she could authentically embody the legendary diva. Her performance is both heart-wrenching and dignified, capturing the grace and defiance of a woman who refuses to let go of her legacy, even as it slips away.

Pierfrancesco Favino, as the voice coach, provides a perfect counterpoint to Jolie’s portrayal of Maria. His character is the embodiment of hope and determination, pushing Maria to confront the limitations of her body and her voice. Favino’s performance is tender and empathetic, and his interactions with Jolie create a subtle but powerful dynamic between the two characters.

Alba Rohrwacher, who plays Bruna, brings warmth and authenticity to the role of Maria’s housekeeper. Though Bruna’s character is not as central to the plot as Ferruccio or the voice coach, Rohrwacher’s portrayal adds depth and emotional resonance to the film, highlighting the relationships that sustain Maria in her final days.

Cinematography and Direction

Pablo Larraín, known for his work in films like Jackie and Spencer, once again proves his skill at capturing the emotional complexities of historical figures. His direction in Maria (2024) is intimate and introspective, focusing on the quiet moments of Maria’s life as she reflects on her past and contemplates her future. Larraín’s attention to detail creates a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. The cinematography, by the talented Stéphane Fontaine, beautifully captures the solitude and melancholy of Maria’s world, with close-ups of Jolie’s face conveying the depth of her character’s inner turmoil.

The use of light and shadow in the film is particularly striking. The play of light in Maria’s apartment—often dim, muted, and shadowed—symbolizes the isolation she feels and the fading of her own vitality. The starkness of the setting contrasts with the lush vibrancy of her past performances, creating a visual metaphor for the disparity between her former life and her present reality.

Music and Soundtrack

Given the subject matter, music plays a central role in Maria (2024). The film features several arias performed by Callas, with the soundtrack highlighting her extraordinary vocal range and emotional depth. These musical moments are not just a tribute to Callas’ legacy, but also an integral part of the narrative, as they reflect Maria’s internal struggles and longings.

The music is not limited to Callas’ own arias. The score, composed by the talented Nicholas Britell, complements the emotional tone of the film, with a haunting and evocative score that enhances the film’s themes of loss, regret, and the passage of time. The music is both a reflection of Maria’s past and a symbol of her enduring connection to the art form that defined her life.

Conclusion: A Poignant Reflection on Art and Legacy

Maria (2024) is a profound and poignant meditation on the life and legacy of Maria Callas. Through its intimate portrayal of her final days, the film explores universal themes of fame, identity, and the passage of time. Angelina Jolie’s masterful performance, coupled with Larraín’s sensitive direction, creates a cinematic experience that is both heartbreaking and beautiful. The film is a tribute to the enduring spirit of a woman who, even in the face of loss and decline, never fully relinquishes her connection to the music that defined her life.

Maria (2024) is a deeply emotional film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the passage of time, the weight of fame, or the challenge of letting go of something that once defined them. It is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest voices in opera history and a poignant reminder of the complexities of artistic legacy.