Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” could be Angelina Jolie’s Oscar Comeback

Angelina Jolie, who stars as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, is poised to return to the Oscar spotlight after a long hiatus. Pablo Larraín’s biopic had its North American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival.

It’s been more than a decade since Jolie last contended for an Oscar—her last nomination was for 2008’s “Changeling.” In the years since, she’s taken on blockbuster roles in films like “Salt” and “Maleficent” and shifted her focus to directing projects like “Unbroken.” However, her latest role as Callas serves as a powerful reminder of her immense talent, showcasing a performance that can only be described as a mesmerizing transformation.

Jolie’s portrayal of Callas is nothing short of extraordinary, as she seemingly channels the essence of one of the 20th century’s most revered and influential opera singers. Her performance is so deeply immersive, it’s as if she’s become possessed by the spirit of Callas. Larraín’s film, which delves into the final days of the iconic singer, has the potential to bring Jolie back to the Oscars, positioning her as a strong contender for a second Academy Award, following her win for 1999’s “Girl Interrupted.”

This role feels like the one Jolie has been waiting for her entire career—a part that fully harnesses her unwavering dedication to her craft. In the film’s closing scenes, Jolie’s commitment is palpable: veins throb on her temple, and her hands curl as if summoning the anguish Callas may have experienced in her last moments. It’s the kind of performance that screams “Oscar clip.”

Jolie’s portrayal resonates even more due to the striking parallels between her own life as one of the world’s most famous individuals and the misunderstood icon she embodies. Hollywood loves a comeback narrative, and Jolie’s journey could mirror that of Renée Zellweger, who dominated the 2019 awards season for her role as Judy Garland in “Judy,” after a long absence from the Oscar conversation following her win for “Cold Mountain”.

“Maria” marks the final chapter in Larraín’s trilogy of films about iconic women, following “Jackie”, with Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, and “Spencer”, featuring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. This latest installment is perhaps his strongest yet, offering a rich character study crafted by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Steven Knight. While Larraín’s previous works have been dubbed “horror biopics,” “Maria” takes a different approach, blending a fantastical musical element that feels refreshingly new. This stylistic choice is particularly timely, coinciding with a year that will see other unconventional musicals, like “Emilia Pérez” and “Joker: Folie à Deux,” vying for Oscar recognition.

The film boasts an array of technical achievements, including cinematography of Edward Lachman, who introduced the film at Telluride alongside Jolie and Larraín. Additionally, the evocative costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini and the meticulous production and set design by Guy Hendrix Dyas and Sandro Piccarozzi are sure to be strong contenders in their respective categories. The makeup and hairstyling team should also be watched closely, as recent Oscar history shows that films like “Poor Things”, “The Whale”, and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” have all taken home awards in this category while also securing wins for their lead actors.

With Netflix backing the film, “Maria” may have more traction in the awards race than initially anticipated, though it will need to overcome some mixed reviews. Despite juggling multiple projects, including “Emilia Pérez,” “The Piano Lesson,” and “His Three Daughters,” Netflix will likely push hard for a victory for Jolie—a goal that might just be within reach.

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