We’ve already told you how much Angelina Jolie wanted to play the opera diva Maria Callas—she even drastically changed her appearance for the role. However, the official “first look” at the film “Maria” from Vanity Fair makes one wonder whether the choice of Jolie for the role of Callas was a mistake.
The film depicts the final months of the iconic opera singer Maria Callas’s life, set in Paris during the 1970s.
The movie is directed by Pablo Larraín (“Jackie”), with Angelina Jolie (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”) in the lead role. The premiere of “Maria” will take place next week at the Venice Film Festival.
“This is a film about a person who, after dedicating her life to audiences around the world, decides to find her own voice, her own identity, and finally do something just for herself,” says Larraín about the film.
Let’s compare how Angelina Jolie looks as Maria Callas with how the real singer looked:
Judging by the pose, clothing, jewelry, and hairstyle, Angie is portraying the Maria from the video you’ll see below. Do you think Jolie and Callas resemble each other?
Commentators are divided into two camps. Some express disappointment and criticism:
“What a completely poor choice!”
“Jolie as Maria Callas… No. Surely, there was someone better.”
“Didn’t the opera world find a single opera singer who resembled Maria Callas? In the Metropolitan Opera, or rather, in any opera house in the world, was there no one?”
“Some kind of caricature of Maria Callas! Shameful.”
“Angelina Jolie is beautiful! But she doesn’t look like Maria Callas! Unfortunately.”
However, some fans have faith in Jolie and her portrayal of Maria:
“She deserves an Oscar for this!”
“Perfect casting. Finally, something worth waiting for.”
“Angie is ready for her third Oscar.”