The world of cinema has been rekindled recently by Bradley Cooper’s latest directorial masterpiece, Maestro. If you’ve been keeping an ear to the ground, you’ve likely heard the whispers of Oscar nominations and the hype surrounding Cooper’s portrayal of the remarkable Leonard Bernstein. But what’s the real story behind this film that’s got everyone talking?
Maestro is the latest Hollywood biopic that takes a deep dive into the life of Leonard Bernstein, the genius composer behind West Side Story, and his complex relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre. The film paints a grounded picture of their love story, spanning decades, and the challenges they had to surmount both personally and professionally.
To pull off this difficult role, Cooper didn’t just step into Bernstein’s shoes; he became him. The reports suggest that he underwent an incredible five-hour makeup and prosthetics session to capture the essence of Bernstein across different eras.
Not only that, Cooper’s commitment to the role was so intense that he insisted on appearing on set only as Bernstein, ensuring that the cast and crew saw him as the character, not the actor. Talk about method acting!
Cooper really took a shine to Bernstein’s story, as he also co-wrote the film with Josh Singer, who’s known for his work on 2015’s Best Picture winner, Spotlight. Industry giants like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg also feature as producers, which explains why Maestro is already being hailed as a cinematic masterpiece.
Carey Mulligan, who’s no stranger to accolades herself, has been widely praised for her poignant and powerful performance. As Felicia, she portrays a woman deeply in love, caught between the throes of her husband’s genius and personal struggles.
After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Maestro continued to make waves at the New York Film Festival earlier this month. Critics and audiences alike are lauding the film for its authentic portrayal of Bernstein’s life and the emotional depth of his relationship with Felicia, something biopics tend to exaggerate for the sake of entertainment.
Come the awards season next year, all eyes will be on Maestro, which will be facing some fierce competition from Scorsese’s Western, Killers of the Flower Moon.
Adapted from a book of the same name, the film has been an immediate hit with audiences, particularly due to the performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone.
Maestro is scheduled to make its limited theatrical debut on November 22 before it moves to streaming on Netflix on December 20.
