Margot Robbie shows off her baby bump during a lunch outing in Sardinia with husband Tom AckerleyALBAWABA - At the Venice Film Festival, Angelina Jolie made it clear that, after her successful performance in Maria, she wants to be considered for the Best Actress Oscar.
Taking place in Paris in the 1970s, Pablo Larraín's biography chronicles the life of Maria Callas, the finest opera singer in the world, as she nears the end of her career.
At a news conference today, Jolie said that she had spent seven months training for the part. "Everyone here knows, I was terribly nervous," Jolie said, referring to her experience studying opera.
Working with Pablo pushes you to do your best, so I spent almost seven months training. In the most charming manner possible, he insists that you put in the effort, learn the ropes, and train hard.
This week, Netflix picked up the film, and the strong notices mean that in a relatively quiet year for the streamer so far, Jolie's turn could be a real contender for them. Critics have been more enthusiastic about Jolie's performance than the film itself, which could hurt the actress's Academy prospects.
"Jolie is an almost magical match for the real diva: achingly thin but still beautiful, loftily patrician, capriciously kind or selfish, tiptoeing dangerously close to madness," Deadline's Stephanie Bunbury said in her assessment of the actress. The actor's dedication to the role is palpable throughout.
In contrast to other Larraín movies, Bunbury observed that the film ended on a somewhat flat note, stating, "Maria tells a fascinating story, but it lacks that rasping edge."
The Financial Times also praised Jolie's dedication to the role, calling her a "glamorous Callas." But the article shares Bunbury's concerns about the biopic's overarching emotional goal.
“Jolie captures the glamour, intellect, and pathos of 'La Callas' but remains emotionally remote,” the tabloid remarked. Despite the producers' claims that Angelina Jolie's singing voice also features, it's fascinating to see the most renowned opera singer lip-syncing with the most famous Hollywood actress.
