Maria (2024) review

Opera singer - and global sensation - Maria Callas (Angelina Jolie) reflects on her life before passing away (from various health problems and an addiction to pills) in September of 1977 at the age of 53: she remembers having to sing (along with her sister) for the Nazis when she was a young girl (and how much she hated her mother), thinks about her "relationship" with father figure Aristotle Onassis (Haluk Bilginer), expresses concerns over losing her voice after years of not performing, she hangs around with loyal assistants Ferruccio (Pierfrancesco Favino) and Bruna (Alba Rohrwacher) and engages in an fictitious interview with an imaginary reporter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).  Larraín and screenwriter Steven Knight did a fine job creating an unorthodox biopic of Princess Diana back in 2021, although I don't think this fares quite as well: the film is too reserved and chilly to be entirely captivating and, while she tries her best, Jolie the actress doesn't possess the emotional range - and is too inherently guarded - to properly portray such a complicated artist.  There are some strong moments (especially those of La Callas in front of packed and adoring crowds) and snippets of wisdom ("Music is born of distress ... and poverty"), but the main takeaway is she was both sad and a genius ... which probably applies to a few individuals from history.