Callas Forever (2002)

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Franco Zeffirelli (original idea)
Martin Sherman (scenario) ...

Release Date:

18 September 2002 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A fictionalized account of the last days of opera singer Maria Callas (Ardant). |

Plot Keywords:

Opera Singer | Maria Callas | Opera | Diva | Tempermental Star

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Fanny Ardant	...	Maria Callas
Jeremy Irons	...	Larry Kelly
Joan Plowright	...	Sarah Keller
Jay Rodan	...	Michael
Gabriel Garko	...	Marco / Don Jose
Manuel de Blas	...	Esteban Gomez
Justino Díaz	...	Scarpia
Jean Dalric	...	Gerard
Stephen Billington	...	Brendan
Anna Lelio	...	Bruna
Alessandro Bertolucci	...	Marcello
Olivier Galfione	...	Thierry
Roberto Sanchez	...	Escamillo
Achille Brugnini	...	Ferruccio
Eugene Kohn	...	Eugene

Also Known As:

Callas Forever (Spain)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and strong language.

Runtime:

France:108 min | Israel:111 min | Spain:112 min | USA:111 min

Country:

Italy | France | Spain | UK | Romania

Language:

English | French | Italian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Finland:K-3 | France:U | Spain:T | UK:15 | Australia:M | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bucharest, Romania

Company:

Galfin

Goofs:

Anachronisms: A poster of AC/DC's "If You want Blood, You've got It" is seen hanging on a wall of the production company. The record was released in 1978 (one year after Maria Callas' death).

Soundtrack:

Casta diva

Ardant at her best

This is one of those gems which often are overlooked for years. I hope that is not the case with this truly outstanding effort. Fanny Ardant gives a reading on Maria Callas that is nothing less than superb. This should have gotten her nominations at every festival and showbiz awards group. The fire and passion in her eyes, the ability to have even the slightest facial change reflect fleeting passion and torture in her soul in full - and I mean FULL - closeup. This director has a quirk in his style, in that he often glosses over things we wish to know, but in this case that does not hurt the film. The friendship between Fanny and Jeremy Irons (also at his finest) is fully realized, warts and all, and Irons' romantic gay relationship is treated as real and honest, not just some "we're here and we're queer" in-your-face political statement.

The music is brilliant, Callas' voice never sounded better. The lip-synch near perfect. The sound has been enhanced and re-recorded in a fabulous way. AND THE WARDROBE. Chanel, Chanel, Chanel, and Fanny Ardant wears it like she was born wearing Chanel.

Joan Plowright turns in another wonderful character and the look and feel of this film is terrific.

Do NOT miss this film if you love opera, Callas, Ardant, Irons, or just plain good filmmaking.