Angelina Jolie made a stunning appearance in London on Friday for the UK premiere of her new film Maria, where she plays the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria is the third film in his trilogy about famous, complex women, following his previous works on Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana.
The film, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, focuses on the final years of Callas’ life in the 1970s, when she lived in Paris. Callas, a US-born Greek soprano, was one of the most renowned opera singers of her time. She passed away in 1977 at the age of 53.
In Maria, Jolie’s singing is blended with original recordings of Callas, capturing the essence of the iconic singer’s voice.
Jolie, who has taken fewer acting roles in recent years to spend more time with her children, is making a return with this film, sparking talk of a possible Oscar nomination for her performance.
Jolie’s Performance Praised
Critics have praised Jolie’s portrayal of Callas, calling it a “virtuoso lead performance.” Sophia Ciminello from AwardsWatch described her as “absolutely spellbinding,” noting how Jolie doesn’t just disappear into the role, but transcends it. Ema Sasic of Next Best Picture added that the film is a “triumphant high note” for Larraín, largely thanks to Jolie’s strong performance.
Entertainment Weekly’s Maureen Lee Lenker commented on how Jolie’s portrayal captures Callas as a woman coming to terms with herself, even as her health declines.
However, not all critics were equally impressed. Time’s Stephanie Zacharek felt that while Jolie captures Callas’ cool and insecurity, she fails to fully embody her powerful charisma. Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair also felt the film was somewhat vague, saying it could have been about any diva.
Jolie’s Return to Acting
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jolie explained her recent absence from acting. She said she needed to be home with her children, but now that they are older and more independent, she feels ready to return to film.
Maria is set to release in UK cinemas on January 10, 2025.
