Bradley Cooper‘s ‘Maestro’ shines at Venice, generating Oscar buzz for Netflix, as the captivating portrayal of Leonard Bernstein‘s life mesmerizes audiences
Credit: Google | Bradley Cooper | Maestro | Leonard Bernstein
In a cinematic spectacle reminiscent of his previous hit, “A Star is Born“, Bradley Cooper’s directorial prowess shone once again as “Maestro” made its grand debut at the Venice Film Festival. The drama, centered on the life of legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, took the audience by storm, earning a thunderous seven-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Sala Grande Theatre.
#BREAKING🇮🇹🇺🇸#BradleyCooper's #Maestro leaves hearts soaring at #VeniceFilmFestival with a mesmerizing 7-minute standing ovation. #Maestro #Venezia80#tognews #todayonglobens #tog #todayonglobe #breakingnews #latestnewspic.twitter.com/w3RmmTzM3c pic.twitter.com/UCjDZsMUnE
— Today On Globe (@TodayOnGlobe) September 3, 2023
While Bradley Cooper and co-star Carey Mulligan were notably absent from the festivities due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the emotional resonance of the evening was undiminished. Bernstein’s three children—Jamie Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein, and Nina Maria Felicia Bernstein—graced the event, waving to the teary-eyed crowd before reveling in their father’s legacy. As the credits rolled to the harmonious notes of Bernstein’s music, they playfully mimicked conductors, celebrating their father’s extraordinary life.
Netflix executives, including Scott Stuber, made the journey to Venice, solidifying “Maestro” as a prime contender for this year’s Oscars. Bradley Cooper’s multifaceted involvement in the project positions him as a formidable contender in multiple categories, including director, actor, producer, and screenplay. Carey Mulligan, portraying Felicia Montealegre Bernstein, is poised to secure a best actress nomination.
“Maestro” distinguishes itself by eschewing the conventional path of recounting Bernstein’s most famous moments, such as his work on “West Side Story“. Instead, the film places a magnifying glass on his profound relationship with Felicia. The supporting cast includes Matt Bomer, who plays Bernstein’s lover, Maya Hawke as his daughter Jamie, and Sarah Silverman as his sister Shirley. Cooper collaborated on the script with Josh Singer, weaving a narrative that captivated audiences in competition with other Netflix originals, “The Killer” by David Fincher and “El Conde” by Pablo Larrain.
The buzz leading up to the premiere had much to do with Bradley Cooper’s decision to don a prominent prosthetic nose, a move that stirred controversy, with some perceiving it as insensitive. During a press conference, makeup artist Kazu Hiro, acclaimed for his work on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Darkest Hour“, addressed the matter with sincerity. He explained that their intention was to honor Bernstein’s iconic appearance authentically, though he expressed regret if this caused any offense.
Despite the controversy, Jamie Bernstein dismissed it as a distracting sideshow, emphasizing their ultimate goal of paying homage to her father’s remarkable legacy.
In a prior interview, Bradley Cooper revealed that Steven Spielberg initially helmed the idea of a Bernstein biographical drama but graciously entrusted the project to Cooper, recognizing his passion for both acting and directing. Spielberg’s involvement as a producer adds another layer of distinction to “Maestro“.
Netflix has historically utilized the Venice Film Festival to launch its premier Oscar contenders, with “Roma” and “Marriage Story” accumulating multiple nominations and victories. “Maestro” appears poised to follow suit, leveraging Bradley Cooper’s directorial finesse and a compelling exploration of Leonard Bernstein’s life to emerge as a heavyweight contender on the grandest stage in cinema.
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