Angelina Jolie Maria Callas role/ Jolie Oscar buzz/ Maria movie review/ Pablo Larraín films/ Callas and Jolie parallels/ NEW YORK/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Angelina Jolie delivers a career-defining performance as opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria. The role required Jolie to undergo an emotional and physical transformation, including learning how to breathe differently to channel Callas’ essence. With themes of loss, reinvention, and resilience, Maria showcases Jolie’s ability to embody the enigmatic diva in the twilight of her life.
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas: Key Highlights
Jolie’s Transformation
- Relearned how to breathe deeply to embody Callas’ physical and emotional presence.
- Dug into personal pain to connect with the opera singer’s struggles and isolation.
- Combined her voice with archival recordings to portray Callas’ imperfect but moving late-career performances.
The Role of a Lifetime
- Marked a major acting return after prioritizing directing and raising her children.
- Generated Oscar buzz, with Maria potentially becoming Jolie’s defining role.
- Filming became a family affair, with her children Maddox and Pax working on set.
Parallels Between Jolie and Callas
- Both share a complicated relationship with fame and public scrutiny.
- Jolie described a shared sense of loneliness that resonated with Callas’ journey.
- The role offered Jolie an emotional outlet for pain from her ongoing personal challenges.
Director Pablo Larraín’s Vision
- Focused on Callas’ final days, blending her public persona with her private struggles.
- Avoided traditional biopic elements to craft an intimate, emotionally charged narrative.
- Believed Jolie embodied the enigmatic and fragile power of Callas.
Opera’s Impact on Jolie
- Jolie gained a new appreciation for opera as a medium for emotional release and healing.
- Found the genre’s grandeur and intensity resonated with her experiences of loss and resilience.
Uncertainty About What’s Next
- Jolie is unsure if Maria signals a full return to acting.
- Continues to carry Callas’ influence, describing the experience as deeply personal and transformative.
Angelina Jolie Finds New Depths in Portraying Maria Callas
Angelina Jolie’s Journey to Embody Maria Callas
Rediscovering Breath and Emotion
Angelina Jolie’s role as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria demanded more than acting—it required a profound reconnection with herself. “I had to learn to breathe again,” Jolie said. “The first weeks were the hardest because my body had to open.” The process unearthed deeply held emotions, with Jolie’s own pain and resilience mirroring that of the iconic opera singer.
A Career Milestone
Jolie’s portrayal of Callas marks a significant return to the spotlight after years of directing and prioritizing her children. The performance has already generated Oscar buzz, potentially earning her a third nomination. “Maria” stands out as a defining role in Jolie’s filmography, showcasing her ability to channel Callas’ emotional depth and isolation.
Exploring Callas’ Final Chapter
Larraín’s Vision
“It’s not about Callas, the performer, but Maria, the woman,” Larraín explained. Jolie’s performance brings an enigmatic and fragile power to Callas’ inner turmoil.
A Shared Loneliness
Jolie found parallels between her life and Callas’, noting a shared sense of loneliness.
“People can be alone and lonely, and that can be part of who they are,” Jolie reflected. Callas’ journey of reinvention resonates deeply with Jolie, who admitted to carrying her own unspoken pain through a tumultuous divorce and personal challenges.
From Opera Novice to Believer
Unfamiliar Territory
Jolie had never sung opera—or anything at all—before Maria. Guided by Larraín, Jolie’s voice was blended with archival recordings of Callas to capture the imperfect yet moving quality of the singer’s later performances. “You can’t fake-sing opera,” Jolie said. The experience deepened her appreciation for the art form’s ability to heal and connect.
The Sound of Healing
Opera became a source of emotional release for Jolie.
“It meets the enormity of pain and loss as you age,” Jolie shared. The role has left a lasting imprint, with Callas’ music triggering visceral memories of the transformative filming experience.
Balancing Fame and Mystery
Public Perception vs. Personal Reality
Both Callas and Jolie share lives shaped by fame and misinterpretation. “They carry an enormous amount of mystery,” Larraín said. Despite public scrutiny, neither figure can be fully understood. For Jolie, stepping into Callas’ shoes has brought newfound clarity about her own complex relationship with fame and privacy.
A Family Affair
“They’d seen me sad, but not like this,” Jolie said. The role became an intimate exploration of grief and resilience for Jolie and her family.
What Lies Ahead for Jolie?
Whether Maria signals a return to acting for Jolie remains uncertain. For now, she continues to carry Callas with her, describing the experience as deeply personal.
“When you play a real person, they become your friend,” Jolie said.
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