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Callas Forever

Play trailer Poster for Callas Forever PG-13 Released Nov 5, 2004 1h 48m Biography Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
40% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Aging opera singer Maria Callas (Fanny Ardant) tries to make a comeback by performing in a production of Bizet's "Carmen."
Callas Forever

What to Know

Critics Consensus

An uneven biopic that struggles to convey what made its subject special, Callas Forever is far from a definitive look at the life of this brilliant opera diva.

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Critics Reviews

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Olin Chism Dallas Morning News For Callas fans, this is a winner. For others, it should at least be interesting. Rated: A- Feb 3, 2005 Full Review Eric Harrison Houston Chronicle The film's portrait of the singer is indelible. The story as a whole, however, doesn't hold together, primarily because the imaginary characters and situations that surround her are so inadequately sketched. Rated: 3/4 Jan 28, 2005 Full Review Tom Long Detroit News A film that forgets to bring its central character to life. Rated: C Dec 24, 2004 Full Review Stephen Rebello The Advocate Callas deserves, at the very least, a film the equal of Amadeus. This isn't it. May 27, 2022 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) So appealing and ingratiating that it's hard not to be taken in by Zeffirelli's fantasy. Rated: 4/5 Apr 19, 2006 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Taha D Fanny Ardant !!! Enough said, Fanny Ardant dressed throughout the film by Chanel, what is there more to say. It is a film about Maria Callas, this means it is also pure style, panache, and performance. Casting Fanny Ardant in itself is thoughtful, thorough, and pointed. Ardant is both an actress and a star and she delivers as both. Jeremy Irons' character says in one scene: "It is not about the voice, it is about the performance." And since this is Callas after having lost her voice, the film does present a performance, one by Fanny Ardant, and a stunning one at that. Biopic or not, her life story, or one episode with a Zeffirelli stand-in are but details... what matter is that e have a feast for the eye, an engaging journey for a lover of good cinema, and engaging performances that are consistently so throughout. Enjoy an excellent film that tastes like good wine, sweeter the longer time passes thereupon.... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Audience Member Love Zeffirelli, but this was bad. Save your time and don't watch this. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member last costume period bio-pic Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is directed by legendary Italian director Franco Zeffirelli but doesn't really finds it's own pace. Partly fiction, partly homage to the greatest singer of all time, the film is a mix of hit & misses but ends up feeling more like a cheap TV drama than an actual theatrical release. too bad the material was interesting and the film could have been better, probably the fault to a small budget. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Great movie for a great Diva! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Fanny Ardant is phenomenal as the legendary sensation, Maria Callas. Ardant captures Callas' passion and larger then life personality beautifully. Bravo! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Callas Forever

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Movie Info

Synopsis Aging opera singer Maria Callas (Fanny Ardant) tries to make a comeback by performing in a production of Bizet's "Carmen."
Director
Franco Zeffirelli
Producer
Riccardo Tozzi, Giovannella Zannoni
Screenwriter
Martin Sherman, Franco Zeffirelli
Distributor
Regent Releasing
Production Co
Cattleya, RAI Cinema
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Strong Language)
Genre
Biography, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 5, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$446.0K
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)