Netflix’s Maria, directed by the renowned Pablo Larraín, offers a compelling and unconventional biographical portrayal of the life of opera legend Maria Callas. This film delves into the tumultuous final days of the iconic singer, illuminating her profound influence on the world and the intricate turmoil within her spirit. It’s a gripping narrative that challenges the typical blueprint of historical biopics, intertwining themes of celebrity, ambition, and betrayal. Angelina Jolie’s standout performance in the titular role further elevates the film, marking one of her most formidable portrayals to date.
Larraín’s signature style stands out distinctly, yet echoes influences from earlier cinematic works. In Maria, he engages with the darker aspects of womanhood and the quest for success, reflecting contemporary issues that resonate profoundly with today’s audiences. Historical biopics often serve as cultural mirrors, and it is likely that Larraín drew inspiration from several notable films that confront similar themes.
10 Frida (2002)
Directed By Julie Taymor
Frida explores the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, renowned for her deeply personal self-portraits and evocative landscapes. Salma Hayek embodies the artist in a performance that intimately captures Kahlo’s struggles and her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera. The film poignantly contemplates the intertwining of suffering and creativity—an exploration echoed in Maria. Both women’s narratives reveal surprising parallels in their journeys through fame and personal adversity.
9 Maestro (2023)
Directed By Bradley Cooper
Maestro presents the story of the illustrious composer Leonard Bernstein, whose ambitious drive and extramarital entanglements strained his family ties. Directed by Bradley Cooper, who portrays Bernstein, the film paints a complex image of the man and his art, simultaneously celebrating his musical gifts while probing deeper societal themes of ambition and its consequences. Similar to Maria, it uses Bernstein’s personal dichotomies to reflect broader artistic struggles.
8 Marie Antoinette (2006)
Directed By Sofia Coppola
Often compared to Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Larraín’s work reflects a shared preoccupation with the intersections of femininity and power. This film narrates the life of the famously misunderstood French queen, highlighting how power can be both alluring and destructive. Like Maria, it offers a nuanced perspective on a woman’s historical significance, using her story as a lens through which contemporary societal issues can be examined.
7 On The Basis Of Sex (2018)
Directed By Mimi Leder
On The Basis of Sex chronicles Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s rise against the gender biases of the American judicial system. Despite its conventional biopic structure, the film harbors a powerful narrative about perseverance and the universal quest for equality. Its appeal lies in its resonance with broader audiences while featuring striking cinematography and an impressive lead performance by Felicity Jones, making it a profound feminist statement akin to themes explored in Maria.
6 Jackie (2016)
Directed by Pablo Larraín
Pablo Larraín’s biopic Jackie serves as the precursor to Maria, forming part of an unofficial trilogy that investigates the lives of iconic women. This film captures the emotional aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination through the eyes of his widow. Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Jackie Kennedy received critical acclaim, allowing the film to reflect on themes of loss and resilience that resonate deeply with Maria.
5 Mary Queen Of Scots (2018)
Directed By Josie Rourke
Mary Queen Of Scots elegantly narrates the turbulent life of Mary Stuart, focusing on her contentious relationship with Queen Elizabeth I. The film artfully intertwines historical detail with personal strife, offering rich performances from Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie that enhance its depth. It effectively unveils the complexity behind two significant historical figures while providing a fresh perspective, similar to the reflective nature of Maria.
4 House Of Gucci (2021)
Directed By Ridley Scott
While House of Gucci embraces a more stylized narrative than Maria, both films share a thematic focus on women’s struggles for autonomy within oppressive structures. This lively depiction of the Gucci family’s rise, through the eyes of Patrizia Reggiani, showcases betrayal and drama, making it an engaging experience. Despite the disparity in tone, both films explore the costs of ambition and the complexities of personal desire.
3 Atonement (2007)
Directed By Joe Wright
Atonement, although a fictional narrative, encapsulates themes similar to those in Maria. Set against the backdrop of World War II, it tells the love story between two characters portrayed by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, whose lives are irreparably changed by a devastating falsehood. The film exemplifies rich period storytelling that both captivates and engages, paralleling the immersive narrative style found in Maria.
2 The Beguiled (2017)
Directed By Sofia Coppola
Coppola’s The Beguiled stands as a compelling connection to Larraín’s work, sharing thematic explorations of femininity and societal constraints. This film portrays an all-female boarding school that becomes entangled in complex emotions upon the arrival of a wounded soldier. It raises questions about gender dynamics and societal expectations, echoing similar motifs seen in Maria.
1 Spencer (2021)
Directed by Pablo Larraín
The finale of Larraín’s trilogy, Spencer, offers an in-depth exploration of Princess Diana during a fraught Christmas visit to the royal family. It intimately examines her sense of alienation within a space that is both public and suffocating. Lauded for its poignant storytelling and visually striking cinematography by Claire Mathon, Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Diana reveals deep emotional complexity, resonating with the themes of fame and personal strife similar to those in Maria. Despite its polarized reception, Spencer remains a significant work that resonates with audiences due to its exploration of similar complexities as Maria.
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