Because the film is an anthology, the quality varies wildly between directors:

The film consists of ten segments, each set to a famous aria by composers like Wagner, Verdi, and Puccini. A recurring framing story, directed by Bill Bryden and starring John Hurt, ties the pieces together as a has-been virtuoso prepares for his final performance of "Vesti la giubba" from Pagliacci .

The 1987 film is a visually striking, though highly inconsistent, anthology that attempts to bridge the gap between high-art opera and modern cinema. Produced by Don Boyd, the film brings together ten world-renowned directors to visualize their favorite operatic arias through short films, creating what Roger Ebert called the "first MTV version of opera". Core Premise & Structure

Generally considered the film's emotional peak. It follows a young couple (Bridget Fonda and James Mathers) on a doomed, poignant trip to a cheap Las Vegas hotel.

Features Theresa Russell in male drag as King Zog of Albania during an assassination attempt. Criticisms & Mixed Reception

Critics and viewers alike often find the film to be a "mixed bag": Reviews of Aria (1987) - Letterboxd

A surreal and neon-drenched exploration of beauty and surgery that captures Russell's typical flamboyance.

An amusing, colorful romp through the eccentric Madonna Inn in California.