Maria
The King of Burbank

Review by The King of Burbank Patron

Maria 2024

★★★

Watched 13 Dec 2024

Hilarious when JFK shows up in this and mentions Jackie about 55 times. You can practically see Natalie Portman just left of frame. 

Jackie and Spencer had a lot to say about the social structures that consumed its’ doomed leading ladies. Maria is just an artful death march. Not much commentary other than “society views artists and women in particular as property.” The first chapter is great and then it essentially repeats those beats ad nauseam for 2 more chapters and an epilogue. I knew the least about Maria Callas out of Pablo’s three subjects and yet still learned less here than I did in the other two. Major bummer that this is on Netflix though, because Pablo’s aesthetic is delectable as always and demands to be writ large. 

Jolie is heartbreaking and if that is truly her singing in any way, then I’d be fine giving her the Oscar just for that. She perfectly captures this woman who is serenading the heavens for even a bit of control but never finds it. Her final scene in particular is magnificent, haunting work, even if I do wish the song she’s singing had subtitles. Pierfrancesco Favino also does strong subtle work as Maria’s butler, who is ultimately her closest friend. 

Don’t feel a strong urge to analyze or shit on it. I just want to watch the other two again. Time for Pablo to do something else.

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