Maestro

Back when films were created to be the sole purpose of pure entertainment was a simpler time. But since a number of decades ago, there are still those films to entertain, however it has branched off to being a vehicle of learning about a certain person or event in history. Many biopics have graced our screens--too numerous to list--but "Maestro" is one of those biopics that draws us into a world of a composer and conductor that lead an interesting life, to put it mildly.

"Maestro" will tell the complex love story of Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) and Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan), a story that spans over 30 years--from the time they met in 1946 at a party and continuing through two engagements, a 25 year marriage, the tension between the two dealing with his bi-sexual lifestyle, and three children, Jamie Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons. The film starts with an older Bernstein in his home, and his retelling to a crew filming his piano playing, of his meeting and his subsequent relationship with his Felicia. 

Others to round out the cast are Matt Bomer as David Oppenheim, Greg Hildreth as Isaac, Michael Urie as Jerry Robbins, Vincenzo Amato-Bruno as Zipato, Nick Blaemire as Adolph Green, Mallory Portnoy as Betty Comden, Sarah Silverman as Shirley Bernstein, Kate Eastman as Ellen Adler and Tim Rogan as Dick Hart.

This was incredibly well delineated by director Bradley Cooper ("A Star Is Born" '18) plus a music video. As with "A Star Is Born", this film is directed with grit and amazing realism. With Cooper's ability to pace and stage his actors as well as he does, if he ever wanted to go into directing full time, he could make the transition easily. His striving to bring the detail he demands only furthers to enhance his production. Also, the fact that he is such an accomplished actor himself certainly could only help behind the camera as well. If you can appreciate this director's brand of filmmaking, his "Is This Thing On?" is in production. It was penned equally well by writers Bradley Cooper ("A Star Is Born" '18) and Josh Singer ("The Fifth Estate" '13, "Spotlight" '15, "The Post" '17, "First Man" '18) plus TV and a video. I'm not sure why Cooper received top billing over Singer in the writing category except that Singer allowed it since this was basically Cooper's 'baby', since Singer has the lion's share of the experience. Both writers are amazing at producing a fine screenplay, and it showed in spades here. Other than a couple of small continuity issues here, this script was amazingly well thought out. 

An interesting fact is that Steven Spielberg being one of the producers, had originally committed to directing this film, however, after viewing one of the dailies of "A Star Is Born", he told Cooper that he had to direct this. This film is an incredibly well crafted film replete with fine acting, directing, writing and photography by Matthew Libatique asc. Undoubtedly, this will garner several Oscar nods come that time. You really thought you were experiencing Leonard Bernstein by the performance Cooper gave. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                       Rated: R                                          129mins.