Pablo Larrain’s Maria has no pulse. It’s nicely directed for what it is. Handsome, decorous, more than a bit plodding, etc. Jolie delivers as well as can be expected, given the flatness of the concept.

But it’s slow as effing molasses. No story tension to speak of. It’s a museum piece.

My immediate response was “why did they make this effing thing?“ It’s not a bad film form-wise, but why?

Interior dialogue as I watched: “I have no empathy or sympathy for Angie’s Maria Callas. She’s a solemn, regal, frosty attitude-bitch with all kinds of grief and anger churning inside. She sulks, hides, chills. Later.”

Excellent cinematography, production design, hair, makeup, wardrobe…totally aces from a tech standpoint.

What was I thinking or feeling while watching the last half-hour? “Angie has no blood in her veins. She needs to die like Maria did and get this over with. Release me from this mortal coil.”