Pablo Larraín unveils the disheartening story of acclaimed American-Greek soprano, Maria Callas, highlighting her last days leading up to her death on September 16, 1977, in his latest drama 'Maria'. The prestigious Parisian apartment she collapses in typifies the gilded cage she's built for herself, echoing Larraín's earlier depictions of famous women like Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana.
Suffering from a debilitating obsession with maintaining her petite figure and frequent self-medication with illegal substances, Maria torments her dependents and persistently avoids her doctor. Callas, whose life has become a personal prison, fantasizes about her former lover, Aristotle Onassis, providing an eerie backdrop to her private life.
In the heart of her tragedy lies her exquisite talent. At 53, having not performed in over four years, Maria struggles to reconcile with the scars left by her once-renowned operatic prowess. Her distaste for her old records, referring to the unbearable perfection they reflect, suggests an artist haunted by her past excellence now stagnant and unattainable. Her musical grandeur, an obsession-turn-prison, pushes her towards a seemingly unavoidable end.
'Jackie' and 'Spencer', Larraín's previous films, portrayed women undergoing tremendous hardship seeking to change the course of history or their personal predicament. However, 'Maria', strays from such narratives focusing instead on the bleak decay of a virtuoso subscripted by a somewhat dramatic fatalism.
Angeline Jolie graces the screen with a remarkable performance, embodying an imperious Maria yet failing to expose Maria's vulnerabilities adequately. The film, with its carefully thought-out visuals, unique flashbacks in black-and-white, and an uncanny portrayal of Maria's past, keeps the viewer intrigued and engaged.
Featuring Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis, Maria's once lover, and John F. Kennedy only adds to the festering sense of abandonment and isolation she experiences. Larraín presents a world where Maria attempts to control her end, denying even the audience's hopes of her overcoming her struggles.
'Maria,' although celebrating Maria Callas's artistry, leaves you nursing a sense of sadness for a sublime talent consumed by destructive obsessions.
