WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Maria.
The 2024 Netflix biopic Maria brings to life the poignant final chapter of famed opera singer Maria Callas, featuring a memorable performance by Academy Award-winner Angelina Jolie. Known for her diverse roles in films like Maleficent, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and Girl, Interrupted, this film marks Jolie’s return to acting after a hiatus following her role in Marvel’s Eternals in 2021. In addition to acting, Jolie’s directorial ventures include critically acclaimed works such as First They Killed My Father (2017) and Unbroken (2014). During her break from acting, she dedicated her time to her six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
Maria explores the waning moments of Callas’s life, set against the backdrop of 1970s Paris as her health deteriorates. The film showcases Jolie as Maria, who navigates the world through a hallucinatory haze with the aid of her devoted butler, Ferruccio, and her caring maid, Bruna. The film is helmed by acclaimed Chilean director Pablo Larraín, known for Spencer (2021) and Jackie (2016). Following its premiere at the 81st Venice Film Festival in August 2024, Maria is now available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.
The Circumstances of Maria Callas’s Death
Diagnosis of a Degenerative Muscle Disease
The narrative of Maria opens and closes with the heart-wrenching scene of Callas’s demise. Just one week before her death, doctors revealed that her heart and liver were failing due to a mix of sedatives and steroids she had been taking for an extended period. On September 16, 1977, at her Paris residence, the attending physician concluded that Maria likely succumbed to heart failure.
In actuality, Maria’s death was a tragic heart attack; the circumstances surrounding her life led to her reclusive behavior. She was only 53 years old. Initial assessments pointed to stress and drug addiction as contributing factors. Notably, she had been diagnosed with dermatomyositis in 1975, a degenerative disease that severely affected her vocal abilities.
Dissecting Maria’s Swan Song “Vissi d’arte”
Meaning Behind the Title: “I Lived for Art”
In a pivotal moment of the film, Maria delivers a heart-wrenching rendition of “Vissi d’arte,”the famed soprano aria from Act 2 of Puccini’s opera Tosca, which premiered in 1900 in Rome. Translating to “I lived for art,”the lyrics poignantly reflect the artist’s sense of abandonment by the divine.
The song commences with the haunting lines, “I lived for art, I lived for love, / I never harmed a living soul! / With a discreet hand / I relieved all misfortunes I encountered,”culminating in a fervent plea, “In this hour of grief, / why, why, Lord, / ah, why do you reward me thus?”This powerful aria resonates deeply with Callas’s struggle as she confronts her declining health, questioning the divine reason behind her tragic fate despite her extraordinary talent.
Maria’s Reluctance to Stop Singing
The Intrinsic Link Between Identity and Voice
Despite urgent medical advice to cease singing—citing life-threatening repercussions—Maria remained adamant, largely due to her profound connection with her voice. Both her butler Ferruccio and maid Bruna expressed concern for her well-being, yet she continued to defy their guidance. Her identity was inextricably tied to her vocal prowess, making it inconceivable for her to envision a life devoid of it. Furthermore, Maria openly stated that she had never truly sung for herself, deepening her resolve to continue performing.
Understanding Aristotle Onassis’s Deathbed Scene
A Complicated Relationship: Maria and Aristotle
The film poignantly depicts the time surrounding Aristotle Onassis’s death in 1975, where Maria visits him moments before the arrival of his wife, Jackie Kennedy. In a bittersweet exchange, Aristotle proclaims that his spirit will linger on a Greek beach after his passing, awaiting Maria’s presence. Their tumultuous love affair persisted despite their prior marriages but never culminated in formal matrimony.
Intriguingly, Aristotle claims a dislike for opera, while a remark about Maria’s absent father suggests a psychological underpinning to her attraction toward him. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Aristotle famously wed Jackie Kennedy in 1968.
Maria’s Piano: A Symbol of Control and Defiance
The Power Dynamics Between Maria and Ferruccio
Throughout the film, Maria exercises control by directing her faithful butler Ferruccio to repeatedly move her piano. This behavior serves as a coping mechanism to assert her autonomy against Ferruccio’s attempts to monitor her medication and encourage her to seek help. Their relationship embodies a tumultuous power balance, with Ferruccio’s concern for her well-being continually challenged by Maria’s refusal to recognize the gravity of her situation. Although she displays contempt for his attempts to guide her, deep down, Maria appreciates his steadfast presence amid her internal chaos.
Sisterly Advice: Yakinthi’s Words
Yakinthi Callas, Maria’s sister, appears briefly in the film, first in a flashback that highlights her own musical talent and later in the modern timeline at Maria’s request. In their emotional exchange, Yakinthi urges Maria to “close the door” on her illustrious past as an opera star, recognizing her sister’s struggle to detach from the memory of her once brilliant career. This poignant moment underscores how Maria, unable to relinquish her nostalgia, remains trapped in a state of melancholic delusion.
The Symbolic Figure of Mandrax
A Dual Meaning Behind Mandrax
One intriguing narrative element within Maria is the character named Mandrax, who serves as a recurring interviewer throughout the film. This character’s name is a clever nod to the sedatives—commonly known as Quaaludes—that Maria struggled with. When Mandrax is first introduced, he appears disconnected from her inner circle, raising suspicion from Ferruccio and Bruna as they observe her odd interactions with this figment. The representation of Mandrax serves as a means for Maria to vocalize her innermost thoughts and feelings, reflecting her mental state and struggles.
Deciphering the Ending of Maria
The Ambiguous Nature of Maria’s Final Performance
The film culminates in a powerful depiction of one of history’s greatest singing talents. It presents Callas’s legacy while illustrating the psychological battles she faced in her final moments. In a memorable closing scene, a multitude of Parisians gather outside Maria’s apartment, drawn in by her enchanting voice. However, the film leaves viewers pondering whether this performance was a reality or merely a product of Maria’s imagination. What remains unequivocal is her remarkable talent, showcasing the indelible mark she left on the world of music, underscoring the profound beauty that accompanied her life and ultimately, her death.
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