Angelina Jolie has captivated audiences and critics alike with her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in the biopic "Maria" at the Venice Film Festival. Jolie's performance has sparked conversations about her potential inclusion in the Best Actress category at the upcoming Academy Awards.

In a press conference, Jolie revealed that she dedicated seven months to preparing for the role, including extensive training to learn opera singing. She praised director Pablo Larraín for demanding her utmost dedication and commitment to truly embody the character.

While Jolie's performance has garnered high praise, some critics have noted that the film itself falls short of expectations. Nevertheless, Netflix's recent acquisition of the film suggests it could be a strong contender for the streaming platform in a year that has been relatively quiet for them.

Stephanie Bunbury of Deadline praised Jolie's portrayal of the diva, describing her as an "almost magical match" for the real Maria Callas. However, Bunbury also noted that the film lacked the gripping intensity seen in previous works by Larraín.

The Financial Times echoed this sentiment, commending Jolie's portrayal of the glamorous Callas but expressing a sense of emotional detachment. The paper highlighted the fascination of seeing Hollywood's most famous lips lip-sync to the voice of the most renowned opera singer.

In contrast, The Telegraph gave the film four stars, noting Jolie's dazzling performance while suggesting that it played it safe in terms of emotional depth. The paper commended Jolie's understanding of balancing campiness with the operatic nature of the story.

Not all reviews were as favorable, with Vulture stating that the role seemed constructed around Jolie's withholding presence rather than marking a significant comeback for the actress. The Times of London went further, describing Jolie's portrayal as a pale imitation of an opera star.

Despite varied opinions on the film itself, Jolie's performance has reignited discussions surrounding her potential Oscar nomination. If recognized, it would mark her first Academy Award nod in over 15 years. Jolie has previously been nominated twice, winning the Best Supporting Actress award in 2000 for "Girl, Interrupted" and receiving a Best Actress nomination in 2009 for "The Changeling."

The race for the Best Actress category is expected to be highly competitive this year. Other anticipated performances include Saoirse Ronan in "The Outrun and Blitz," Julianne Moore in "The Room Next Door," Marianne Jean-Baptiste in "Hard Truths," and Robin Wright in "Here." Notable performances to date include Karla Sofía Gascón in "Emilia Pérez," Mikey Madison in "Anora," and Demi Moore in "The Substance." Lady Gaga, Fernanda Torres, and Pamela Anderson are also considered wildcards in the race.

As the Venice Film Festival continues, Jolie's performance in "Maria" stands out as a potential contender for the upcoming awards season, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood's most versatile and talented actresses.