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Movies / On DVD / Callas Forever
Callas Forever

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Callas Forever (2004)

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Reviews Counted:58

Fresh:24

Rotten:34

Average Rating:5.4/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 5, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $305,060

Synopsis: At the beginning of this engrossing story, Larry Kelly (the delectable Jeremy Irons) has become a manager of rock bands – much easier to handle, he asserts, than a temperamental opera star. ... At the beginning of this engrossing story, Larry Kelly (the delectable Jeremy Irons) has become a manager of rock bands – much easier to handle, he asserts, than a temperamental opera star. Managing Maria Callas's late career has left him scorched by the star's brilliant fire. Visiting her palatial Paris apartment, Kelly is shocked to find a broken and reclusive Callas, humiliated by the deterioration of her voice. Determined to re-ignite her passion and restore her legacy, he convinces her to take on an important project: a film of the opera Carmen, in which she will lip-sync her own, glorious recording of many years previous. Thus begins a reawakening of their former relationship, mixing creative passion, genius, and drive in an incendiary cocktail. The stars are ably supported by a feisty Joan Plowright as their mutually supportive journalist friend, newcomer Jay Rodan as Larry's handsome artist boyfriend, and a wonderfully steamy performance from sexy Gabriel Garko as the tenor who worships Callas and yearns for his own opportunity for greatness. The special relationship between Callas (a luminous Fanny Ardant, reprising her stage portrayal) and her former manager forms the heart of this compelling fictional imagining of the diva's swan song, written and directed by the late Callas's friend and colleague, Franco Zeffirelli (ROMEO AND JULIET), in a worthy tribute to his legendary friend. -- © Regent Releasing [More]

Starring: Fanny Ardant, Jeremy Irons, Joan Plowright, Jay Rodan

Starring: Fanny Ardant, Jeremy Irons, Joan Plowright, Jay Rodan, Justino Diaz, Stephen Billington

Director: Franco Zeffirelli

Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Screenwriter: Franco Zeffirelli
Story: Martin Sherman
Producer: Riccardo Tozzi
Studio: Regent Releasing

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Release:

Jun 21, 2005

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Internationally acclaimed director Franco Zeffirelli (Romeo and Juliet, Tea with Mussolini) beautifully recreates the magic, passion and artistry of the opera diva Maria Callas, known as "the voice of the century." In this loving tribute to his longtime friend, Zeffirelli imagines what could have happened at the end of Callas' life close to her death at the age of 53. Popular French actress Fanny Ardant perfectly fits the role of the temperamental diva, capturing all the fiery intensity of the legend on and off the stage. Oscar(R)-winner Jeremy Irons shines as the diva's former manager who persuades her to re-launch her career, despite her fading powers. A unique, rare gem of a film featuring actual sound recordings of Callas in performance, Callas Forever makes a lasting impact as a stunning human portrayal of one of the greatest artists of our time.
  • Source: Image Entertainment, Inc.
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    Reviews for Callas Forever

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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    06/24/06
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    So appealing and ingratiating that it's hard not to be taken in by Zeffirelli's fantasy.

    Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
    04/19/06
    Ken Hanke
    Ken Hanke
    Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    04/01/06
    Empire Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
    09/26/05
    AV Club
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    06/07/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    In his Ode to his colleague, Zeffirelli reminds us all how fragile egos can be and the lengths artists (and their producers) will go to remain in the limelight.

    Full Review Source: JWR | comment Comment
    05/22/05
    S. James Wegg
    S. James Wegg
    JWR

    Zeffirelli's 'Carmen' looks more PBS than MGM, and this relative poverty helps explain why this sincere but bloodless film has taken three years to limp into theaters.

    Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
    04/18/05
    John Beifuss
    John Beifuss
    Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    03/27/05
    Steve Davis
    Steve Davis
    Austin Chronicle

    The film rises and falls on Ardant's performance and, boy, does she deliver, chewing up scenery and making it look like delicate surgery.

    Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
    03/25/05
    Robert W. Butler
    Robert W. Butler
    Kansas City Star

    It's an odd little film with tremendous appeal. It's almost as if Zeffirelli ... has dug up a late-'70s time capsule to share with the world.

    Full Review Source: San Antonio Express-News | comment Comment
    03/25/05
    Larry Ratliff
    Larry Ratliff
    San Antonio Express-News

    Justifies its dismissal of factual truth in favor of a deeper sort.

    Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
    03/04/05
    Marc Mohan
    Marc Mohan
    Oregonian

    Nothing more than Zeffirelli's wish-fulfillment, pretending to stage a production of 'Carmen' with Fanny Ardant acting as proxy for his late, great star.

    Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
    02/20/05
    Eric D. Snider
    Eric D. Snider
    EricDSnider.com

    Zeffirelli is in his element celebrating Callas' glory and lushly staging Carmen. Alas, the rest of the movie... falls flat.

    Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
    02/18/05
    Sean Means
    Sean Means
    Salt Lake Tribune

    Though for opera buffs the result may well be fun, it's also camp with a high C....Douglas Sirk and Ross Hunter, eat your hearts out.

    Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
    02/13/05
    Frank Swietek
    Frank Swietek
    One Guy's Opinion

    Little of it works, and frankly, the film alternates between being dull and being almost campy fun.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    02/11/05
    Jeff Vice
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
    02/06/05
    Mia Jankowicz
    Mia Jankowicz
    PopMatters

    Bravura performances by all. Fanny Ardant shines as the woman in desperate need of a spotlight.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
    02/04/05
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
    TheMovieChicks.com

    For Callas fans, this is a winner. For others, it should at least be interesting.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    02/03/05
    Olin Chism
    Olin Chism
    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/28/05
    Eric Harrison
    Eric Harrison
    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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