Angelina Jolie’s ‘Maria’ Ending, Explained: What Was Real?

by

As a long-time admirer of Maria Callas and her extraordinary talent, I found myself utterly captivated by Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of the legendary opera singer in the Netflix film ‘Maria.’ Jolie masterfully brought to life the complexities and struggles that defined Callas, both on and off the stage. The film takes us on a poignant journey through Callas’ tumultuous personal life and her unwavering passion for music, which ultimately led to her tragic demise.

The movie titled “Maria” is a fresh biographical production, focusing on the last years of the life of the acclaimed opera singer Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín and penned by Steven Knight, it stars Angelina Jolie in the lead role. The film delves into the intricate tale surrounding Callas’ death, making it a much-awaited release due to its high anticipation, with many considering it one of the best performances of her career and a potential strong contender during the awards season, known for its fiercely competitive acting performances that year.

Beyond that, “Maria” is the third film in a trilogy by Larraín focusing on historical female figures during significant phases of their lives. It follows “Jackie” (2016) and “Spencer” (2021). Notably, the lead actresses from these films – Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart – were both nominated for Oscars for their performances. Given this, the excitement surrounding “Maria” is justified, particularly regarding Jolie’s portrayal. However, it’s essential to delve deeper: what transpires in “Maria”, and how does its conclusion relate to its broader themes? In other words, what can we infer from its ending and its connection to the larger narrative of “Maria”?

What Happens in Maria?

The movie is set in the 1970s, with Maria residing in her Parisian home. Accompanying her are her butler, Ferruccio (Pierfrancesco Favino), and housemaid, Bruna (Alba Rohrwacher). They attend to her every requirement. Daily, Ferruccio monitors Maria’s pill intake, keeping a record, and often presumes she has taken more than she admits, as indicated by the log. Due to her reliance on these pills, Maria experiences hallucinations frequently. Lately, she has been hallucinating opera performances and songs from her past, reminding her of her days as the Prima Donna or “La Callas.” However, she has unexpectedly stopped performing altogether, choosing to seclude herself instead.

Ferruccio and Bruna start to grow concerned over Maria’s wellbeing due to some worrying changes in her behavior. Her medication usage escalates, she stops eating, and exhibits unpredictable wandering. One day, instead of seeing the doctor that Ferruccio called for her, Maria interacts with a documentary crew (which could be an imagined encounter brought on by the drugs), who are producing a film about her life. Maria shares intimate details about her personal life with the documentary crew, including stories from her past love affair with Aristotle Onassis, whom she still harbors feelings for.

Apart from that, it’s also revealed that Maria occasionally chooses to practice singing with an old acquaintance named Tate in a secluded setting. However, she becomes disheartened when she fails to emulate the great “La Callas.” Tate, nonetheless, encourages them to persevere. In a dramatic, dream-like sequence, we are taken back to a memory of young Maria and her sibling being compelled by their mother to perform songs for soldiers in exchange for money.

As I step into my humble abode after an enchanting evening with Tate, singing my heart out, a certain doctor is lurking in the shadows, determined to examine me against my will. I swiftly devise a plan to conceal my pills around our home, ensuring that Ferruccio and Bruna remain clueless about their whereabouts.

Maria persists in practicing singing with Tate, showing progress yet grappling with weakness in her vocal power. One unexpected day, a journalist manages to slip in during her performance, causing Maria to respond aggressively. Time and again, Bruna and Ferruccio plead with Maria to summon the doctor, but she refuses. Eventually, the physician shows up at her residence and informes her that her drug addiction is gradually taking her life. Moreover, the doctor advises Maria to abandon singing, since it places too much strain on her body. Maria remains resolute, maintaining that she will carry on singing, as it represents the first time in her existence she has ever done so for herself.

How Does ‘Maria’ End?​​​​

On an ordinary day, Ferruccio and Bruna endeavor to rouse Maria. Today, she seems unusually reluctant to stir, so they assure her that they’ll go buy groceries filled with her favorite foods. Meanwhile, battling both her illness and drug addiction, Maria begins to hallucinate a grand opera finale in her thoughts. With this vivid imagination, Maria delivers what proves to be her last performance. She sings a complete aria in a white gown from the balcony of her Paris apartment. The final resounding note she strikes is followed by her collapse in her living room, where she remains in her nightgown. Upon their return, Ferruccio and Bruna find Maria and immediately call the police.

Previously in the movie, Maria expresses some unique views about her relationship with opera and vocal performance. For instance, she asserts that a powerful vocal delivery stems from a source of distress. As she performs her song, it’s evident that she sings with deep emotion, mirroring a life dedicated to artistic pursuit. Additionally, Maria mentions that a significant driving force behind her singing was the desire for admiration. In this climactic scene, Maria envisions that everyone in Paris pauses to watch her sing. Being a woman who devoted her entire existence to seeking validation and accolades, this could be seen as her ultimate standing ovation.

Initially, the movie opens with police officers, Ferruccio, and Bruna at what appeared to be an ordinary scene. However, unbeknownst to the viewers, it was actually the site of Maria’s passing. At the conclusion, the film revisits this initial shot, showing Ferruccio and Bruna departing from the scene this time. As Maria lay dying, she hoped that Bruna and Butler would remain together, a wish that is fulfilled in the movie’s final frame. In the closing shot, Ferruccio and Bruna exchange a meaningful glance, implying they were the ones who truly understood Maria as an individual, beyond her fame or talent.

Maria is available to stream on Netflix from December 11.

Read More

2024-12-07 02:01