'Triumphant' biopic with Hollywood A-lister finally arriving on Netflix in days

Metro

7 days ago

A sweeping biopic about a musical diva's final days starring a Hollywood A-lister is finally arriving on Netflix.
The movie premiered at Venice Film Festival last year to acclaim and talk of Academy Awards before eventually flying under the radar somewhat upon release.
But now viewers can judge for themselves if this was fair or not as Maria, with Angelina Jolie as opera sensation Maria Callas, makes its way to the streaming platform as a bit of a hidden gem.
While it was snapped up by Netflix in the US from the start, in the UK Maria was distributed by StudioCanal as part of a wider distribution deal for the film across Europe.
It was released in US cinemas in late November 2024 before hitting Netflix there on December 11, while UK fans had to wait until January 10 to see it on the big screen – and until now for it to land on Netflix.
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But now it has made its way, as of August 8, to Netflix in the UK.
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Directed by Oscar nominee Pablo Larraín, the film recounts – per the synopsis – the 'tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world's greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris'.
Maria is rated fresh by both critics and fans alike on Rotten Tomatoes, with scores of 75% and 76% respectively, with reviews praising Jolie's 'virtuoso' performance and the film as a 'triumphant high note' for its director.
The Guardian called for 'an encore', while Mashable's Siddhant Adlakha commented: 'Though the film doesn't come together as neatly or completely as [Jackie and Spencer], its most powerful moments stand head and shoulders above them, thanks to towering, transcendent work from Angelina Jolie in the leading role.'
'An exquisitely shot snapshot of an artist looking not just to sing again but to reclaim her voice,' wrote Robert Kojder for Flickering Myth.
'Character and actor blend so seamlessly, so ferociously, that you leave not just with heightened empathy for La Callas but Jolie as well,' observed Associated Press critic Lindsey Bahr.
Much had been expected from Larraín's work, after he directed Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart to best actress Oscar nominations in his previous films, 2016's Jackie and 2021's Spencer.
Both films were also biopics of much admired and discussed women, with Portman playing former American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of JFK, and Stewart as Diana, Princess of Wales.
Maria was seen as the final movie in the Chilean filmmaker's trilogy about iconic women, as well as Jolie's hotly anticipated return to the artistic big leagues of cinema.
Her previous film, Marvel's Eternals, was much hyped but ultimately flopped at the box office, while her pbig films of the past decade were Maleficent and its sequel for Disney.
So Maria gave the sense of Jolie, 50, being back to business and basics as an artist – and as an actress that netted an Academy Award over 20 years ago for her supporting turn in Girl, Interrupted.
The Tomb Raider star became teary after the film debuted to rapturous applause and an eight-minute standing ovation at the prestigious film festival.
As someone who was there when it screened in Venice, there was a real sense it would be an awards season player – for Jolie's performance and the sumptuous design at least.
While not everyone was onboard with Peaky Blinders scribe Steven Knight's script, Maria dives deep into the psychological torture the legendary performer is seen putting herself through as she mourns the loss of her once-in-a-generation voice and wallows in a pill addiction so strong it's cleverly anthropomorphised in the form of actor Kodi Smitt-McPhee.
Of course, that's a huge ask of any actor to replicate, even one who's a confident singer – which Jolie confirmed she very much is not, telling press she was 'terribly nervous' to sing and trained for more than half a year.
Luckily, because the bar is not set to match Callas at her unrivalled best due to the storyline, Jolie is not aiming for perfection.We can forgive a difference in tone and quality between Jolie's efforts and the original recordings of Callas herself.
However, the musicality, the pitch and the technique is all there – as well as an innate talent that proves Jolie is up to the task. More Trending
A major issue with Jolie as diva 'La Callas' could have been her being an actress and also one of the most famous women in the world – so instantly recognisable as yourself.
Therefore it does take a minute to warm up to her as Callas but once she's won you over, Jolie delivers a masterclass in reminding you exactly why it is she's so famous.
Maria is streaming on Netflix in the UK from August 8.
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