Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Dirtylogy It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Marcin Kukuczka When I got a chance to see the latest movie by Franco Zeffirelli, I actually thought about what can hold the name of a "tribute." Is it a well made biopic, an idealized image of a person or is it just a very personal interpretation of someone we once knew and have never forgotten...? The answer is difficult since each viewer has a different taste and expects something special. The last "definition," however, seems to fit most to this movie, CALLAS FOREVER, in which Franco Zeffirelli includes his own fantasy as well as some memories of the longstanding friendship with Maria Kalogeropoulou, the Diva better known to the world as Maria Callas (1923-1977).The action of the movie actually relates to some period of 1977, the last year of Maria Callas' life. In Paris, the city of the artists, arrives Larry Kelly (Jeremy Irons) who is to promote Bad Dreams, a punk band popular among youngsters. To his surprise, however, Larry will experience something that he would not expect in his most welcome dreams: a rebirth of Callas, a yet another glamor of her voice and the true splendor of her art (though pure fantasy, how interesting it is).But it is not the content that makes this movie subtle. It is, first of all, the exceptionally artistic interpretation of the individuality that Callas was. Although Maria, having got through the terrible concert in Japan, is no longer in the heyday of her career, she once again, for a brief last moment in her life, believes in her success and acts in the film adaptation of CARMEN, the opera she had not performed on stage. A great help for her and the real promoter is Larry Kelly who motivates her and raises belief in her, belief in the Maria Callas of long ago coming to life again. She appears to be rather a nervous star, yet constantly worried about honesty. She does not accept any cliché or imitation. She appears to dislike the present techniques and willingly comes back to the past memories. "Then, everything was honest" she says. There are lots of moments that provide us with a wonderful insight into her character. It is not only the Callas of stage, the great star but foremost a PERSON with memories, fears, difficulties of character but, besides all, with an exceptional sense of beauty and art. She never loses control over reality and when asked "What will you do?" replies "Don't ask questions I can't answer." But it is important to mention that there are no contradictions. Throughout the film, we experience one Callas, not Maria Kalogeropoulou vs Maria Callas, but a single magnificent individual.Besides, the performances are brilliant in the film. Fanny Ardant is superb in the lead expressing all kinds of feelings in her face. Here, we can admit that a real artist plays a real artist! From the very first moment which shows Callas desirous to be alone at home and interrupted by Larry to the very last moment which shows Callas walking, Ardant is brilliant! It's simply impossible to skip her, for instance, in the moment when she listens to her recorded voice and movingly sings with the tunes. Jeremy Irons also does a splendid job in his part as Larry Kelly but when applied to him, I far more prefer his scenes with Callas than other moments. Who can forget the memorable scene he says to Maria: "Trust me"... Joan Plowright, a mainstay of Zeffirelli's newest movies, is also terrific in the role of Sarah Keller. She supplies her performances with a unique charm.The music and the whole atmosphere is worth your attention while watching the movie since what would the whole film be without the moments in which we hear the magnificent, heavenly voice of Maria Callas? Real classic and sublime! However, there are also wonderful music pieces in the film music. I was most impressed by the final scene in the park with the subtle gentle music in the background. It is filled with unforgettable tunes, not that easy to be recognized at first but very beautiful and profound. I was moved to tears as Larry Kelly was.If I have any complaints to the movie, these are rather some doubts than complaints. I am not that certain if the director was right to pay so much attention to CARMEN. In a while, this may become quite boring, especially for people who want a movie, not an opera on screen. The plot of Larry Kelly - Michael and particularly their homosexual affair is also not that needed. But the character of Michael (Jay Rodan) also has something to offer. He constitutes an accurate representation of a young man who listens to Callas, admires her, gets into her visions through his art (pictures) even if these are the 1970s and the generation of entirely different music.CALLAS FOREVER, in short, is a very subtle film, a real tribute to the great star that Maria Callas was, not an indifferent, monotonous biopic but an interpretation, a wonderful fiction filled with emotions and heart. It's not a masterpiece, perhaps not the best Zeffirelli's movie, but it is truly a fine and a powerful trace that the artist (Zeffirelli) is bound to leave in modern cinema. Moreover, it is the work that really reminds us of the genius that Callas was, which makes it a real tribute. Franco Zeffirelli, you moved us to tears through a number of your subtle movies, stay with us with your interpretations, no matter if it is ROMEO AND JULIET or CALLAS FOREVER. Stay with us in that way. Cinema needs you.

oliver-177 This is an odd movie, fairly opulent looking, yet barely released. A gay rock music promoter named Larry Kelly (I wonder if the REAL Larry Kelly, who started the Dallas Opera and worked with Callas, is still alive) is also a friend of recluse Maria Callas. He talks Callas into starring in a movie of Carmen, using her 13 year old recording as a soundtrack. She is difficult, but superb. The Carmen movie is a big success, but Maria feels uncomfortable with the concept and asks Larry to withdraw the film.Fanny Ardant is pretty good, but too variable. She swings from crotchety to alluring in a matter of seconds. You don't see much behind that beautiful mask. Anne Bancroft or Audrey Hepburn might have been better if the project had been done earlier and written better... Jeremy Irons is wince inducing: it is always unpleasant to watch an actor trying to make something out of nothing - the character of Larry is simply one-dimensional. Joan Plowright brings commonsense - a rare commodity in this film - to her few scenes.A few moments linger: Ardant, as Callas-Carmen, smoking a thin cigar before throwing her flower at José. Callas starting to seduce a hunky tenor, but thinking better of it after a little kiss.It is all very bizarre: outrageous Chanel product placement, saccharine gay subplot ( awww, the young boyfriend got a hearing aid so that he could hear Callas LPs), hideous punk rock music under the credits... and as others have remarked, the characters live in 1977, but the look is 2000.Basically yet another example of Zeffirellian effects without causes.

vette329nh "Callas forever" deals with the last year of her life as she has sought solitude, as she mourns the loss of her magnificent voice. She is despondent and distraught, until convinced by friends that an unusual comeback is possible.Fanny Armand is regal, elegant,sensual,sensitive, and surely deserving of a nomination for her portrayal of Maria Callas in this wondrous film. The scene in which Jeremy Irons watches her unnoticed through a partially open door, with empathy etching his face, is excruciatingly brilliant. She acts out a scene ( I believe from Tosca) as she listens to a recording of her voice from the past, then collapses to the floor with the realization that it is forever gone. When my tears cleared, I rewound it and replayed it twice more.For anyone one who loves opera, you will soar with the Callas voice. For anyone who enjoys fine film making, it must be seen.

amberbaer Franco - pure genius to bring this film to the world - his vision of her life, or at least, the latter part of it, is nothing short of brilliant. Fanny - Superb as Maria! The emulation, and respect she shows to Maira in her portrayal of her is spot on! From the hair, the makeup, the way she moves her body to sing like Maira (or at least pretend to sing like) is quite perfect. Opera is a hard thing to do to one's body, you not just project the voice, you use your body to project the voice and the emotion behind it...and when they show Fanny (as Maria) in the studio, you get this eerie sense that she is a woman possessed with the spirit of Maria! Bravo to you Fanny! Jeremy Irons - ever the consummate actor - the perfect gentleman and a joy to see as the fiery friend and confidant of Maria. The relationship on screen between Jeremy and Fanny is well-done. They make beautiful friends on screen and must have been a riot off-screen.Joan Plowright - Franco continues to use her in his films, and with little wonder - she's one of the best of the best mature women working in film today. She was the logical choice to play Aaunt Clara in the Bewitched movie, but no one saw the beauty of that role for her. But Franco gives us another view of this wonderful actress. She is a breath of fresh air each time she speaks. She is the grandmother that we all wish we had in our lives. Even her voice-over work makes you smile when you think of her name. Not many actresses today can say that about their work.Overall - a perfect movie that gives you a glimpse of what could have been had Maria agreed to it. The music, simply stunning. The soundtrack to the movie barely touches on the voice of an angel come down from heaven. The movie is passed well, directed with such love for the characters, and a pure joy from start to finish. It's a shame that American directors can't do this quality of a film in the states. One of the reasons why I love "foreign cinema" - I'm never disappointed when it comes to Franco's works....such a Maestro to his craft - Bravo