Onassis: The Richest Man in the World
May. 01,1988Biography of the life of Aristotle Onassis, a Greek who rose to become one of the world's most wealthiest men, detailing his rise to power and unhappy marriages.
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Reviews
Wonderful character development!
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
What can someone say about this movie ?... It is a "guide" for what a man can become, when he has money for his "god".. Also, shows the ultimate misery he face when he realize that all the money of the world can not give some "happiness " to him...Raul is really a master in this movie... As a Greek by myself, it is as if I can SEE ALIVE "our Onassis", living his drama again. Passion and sadness, money and lust, all together mixed in a wonderful way.. You can actually feel the old Onassis, with all his life "painted" on his face, in last scenes, fallen, broken apart and almost dead...A must film, for every person who loves great acting ~
This TV movie about the late Aristotle Onassis definitely is more of a melodramatic film about the former world's richest man's love relationships with Maria Callas and Jacqueline Kennedy rather than a biographical insight on the man himself. Basically,the viewer is treated to the complexities of his relationships like the on-and-off relationship he had with Maria and meeting the needs of Jackie like security and companionship especially after her husband,President John Kennedy and her brother- in- law,Bobby Kennedy were assassinated.The acting was great especially Raul Julia,Jane Seymour and Francesca Ennis - who played Onassis,Callas and Jackie respectively.It definitely was able to cover up the film's shortcomings.Added to that, the viewer will definitely be entertained with their performances as it became central to the biographical film rather than knowing more about Onassis himself in terms of his business success and the attributes that he had that made him once the richest man in the world.
Watchable and interesting TV movie about the love triangle involving Aristotle Onasis, Maria Callas and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.The casting is tricky here for people so well known. Raoul Julia is a good actor who captures the crude essence of Aristotle. Although physically he is much to big sized, his face isn't too far off so overall he's convincing. Liked Jane Seymour as Maria Callas. She is quite fiery and is the best of the three leads though even skinnier than the real Callas was. Francesca Annis is a strange choice to play Jackie. She does the voice and delicate ladylike quality well but her facial features are too delicate for Jackie who had such overly large features so she just looks too different. She comes across as English despite her efforts.Overall this is worth watching because the subject matter is good and the actors are first rate despite some physical differences.
The death of Raul Julia closed the door to a career still peaking. This film provides one of his great showcases, and fans will savor his powerhouse performance. Taken as a Citizen Kane-type film about a self-made Greek billionaire, this is very entertaining and would be an excellent story. However, as a biography of Aristotle Onassis it falls flat.For starters, Julia looks nothing like Onassis. He's the wrong height, build, nationality, and is certainly much handsomer. Though great to watch, he never is able to convince you that he is Onassis. But since Julia was usually cast in showy supporting roles, admirers will appreciate this film for his wealth of dialogue and emotion.Supporting cast is unimpressive. Elias Koteas is awkward in his first-act showcase as young Aristotle, and I can't see how Jane Seymour received an Emmy for her overblown performance, while Julia was not even nominated. Francisca Annis fairs better as Jackie Kennedy, but the presentation of Jackie is too quaint for it's own good, all information provided can be found in an encyclopedia entry.Oddly enough, Anthony Quinn as Julia's father looks significantly more like Onassis than Julia, but his hammy appearance indicates why he would not have served well in the main role.Recommended strongly for fans of Raul Julia, everyone else would probably not be interested.