Angelina Jolie’s Career Resurgence in ‘Maria’: A Deep Dive into Her Filmography

Angelina Jolie’s Filmography: A Journey Through Fame

Angelina Jolie is undeniably one of the most celebrated actresses in cinematic history, yet her filmography presents a complex tapestry of successes and occasional misfires. After claiming the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted (1999), Jolie quickly established herself as a bankable star with hits like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. However, her film career also includes a series of less memorable projects that have faded from public consciousness, such as Taking Lives, Come Away, and Life or Something Like It.

In recent years, Jolie’s appearances have become increasingly sporadic, with her last notable films being the lightly received Those Who Wish Me Dead and Eternals, both released in 2021. Furthermore, her only other Oscar nomination came from Clint Eastwood’s Changeling in 2008, leaving fans eager for a return to form. Jolie has often cited her commitment to family as a reason for her extended breaks from acting, but many are left wondering when she will showcase her full potential in a role that demands it.

At the Venice Film Festival, excitement bubbled over as journalists heralded a potential career resurgence for Jolie with her latest project, Maria, where she takes on the role of the iconic opera singer Maria Callas. This film, directed by Pablo Larraín, is seen as a significant vehicle for Jolie’s considerable talents, allowing her to explore the depths of her star persona.

Maria chronicles the later years of the legendary soprano, delving into her reflections on the burdens of fame, her tumultuous relationship with the affluent shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis (played by Haluk Bilginer), and the decline of her singing career as she grapples with self-doubt about her voice. This rich character provides Jolie the opportunity to pivot between moments of formidable strength and poignant vulnerability, complemented by several operatic sequences where she sings directly to the audience, inviting admiration for her stunning, cinematic presence.

Musical biopics have a storied history of capturing the attention of Oscar voters, and during the press conference for Maria, the first question posed to Jolie was whether she anticipated a potential Academy Award nomination for this role. With characteristic humility, Jolie deflected the inquiry, expressing that her primary concern was to resonate with opera enthusiasts who hold Callas in high esteem.

• “My greatest fear would be to disappoint them,” Jolie remarked, emphasizing her dedication to authenticity.
• “Of course, if there’s any response to my work within the industry, I would be grateful.”