Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial endeavours have yielded contrasting results, leaving her with a mix of emotions.
According to a source close to Jolie’s team, the actress is struggling to reconcile the success of her biopic Maria with the lukewarm reception of Without Blood.
“Angelina is a little annoyed that she’s having to juggle the solid success of Maria… and her passion project Without Blood,” the source reveals.
Without Blood, an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s novel, explores the lingering horror of surviving violence. Despite Jolie’s humanitarian work and previous successes with In the Land of Blood and Honey and First They Killed My Father, this film missed its mark with critics.
Radheyan Simonpillai of The Guardian criticised the film, saying it “leaves its mismatched stars… flailing with words, anecdotes and frustratingly tedious and abstract conversations that feel like they’re searching for meaning.”
In contrast, Maria, Jolie’s biopic about opera legend Maria Callas, has garnered Oscar buzz. The actress spent months preparing for the role, and while some critics have been negative, others have praised her performance.
“As both movies march toward being seen by the broader public,” the insider continues, “Angelina is going to have to thread the needle here a bit, especially because she has always seen directing as a way to stay in the business once she ages out these leading lady roles.”
Jolie’s passion for directing remains unwavering. “She wants to direct more movies, in no uncertain terms, and she has installed a whole team around her for those projects that will follow her into the gates of hell to get these films made.”
However, the commercial success of Without Blood is uncertain. “But the trick is, they have to make money and nobody thinks Without Blood can make a profit.”
Jolie’s collaboration with Salma Hayek Pinault, star of Without Blood, remains strong. A second source previously revealed, “Angelina and Salma have a deep, ongoing collaboration that hasn’t let up since they shot Eternals together almost six years ago.”
