I watched Maestro and I liked it. 3.5/5
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Maestro, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, is an ambitious dive into the life of legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. As Cooper’s follow-up to A Star is Born, it’s a film that wears its prestige proudly, blending sweeping romance with biographical detail. While the movie dazzles with its performances, stunning visuals, and a heartfelt score, it occasionally stumbles in its storytelling. Yet, despite its imperfections, Maestro is an evocative portrait that earns a solid 3.5/5.
The Pros: A Symphony of Performances and Visuals
At the heart of Maestro is Bradley Cooper’s transformative performance as Leonard Bernstein. Cooper doesn’t just portray Bernstein; he inhabits him, from his energetic conducting style to his moments of vulnerability off the stage. He perfectly captures Bernstein’s charm, wit, and passion, while also delving into his more conflicted and complex sides. Whether he’s joyously leading an orchestra or grappling with personal demons, Cooper is magnetic, and it’s a testament to his dedication to the role.
Equally compelling is Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre, Bernstein’s wife. Mulligan brings warmth, strength, and a touch of tragedy to the role, grounding the film’s more operatic moments with an intimate, human touch. The chemistry between Cooper and Mulligan is electric, making their relationship feel genuine, messy, and deeply layered. It’s this relationship—filled with love, betrayal, and forgiveness—that gives Maestro its emotional core.
The film is also a visual marvel. With its lush cinematography and meticulous production design, Maestro captures the elegance and energy of Bernstein’s world, from the grandeur of concert halls to the intimacy of his home life. Cooper and cinematographer Matthew Libatique use light and shadow to evoke the mood of each scene, often reflecting the emotional highs and lows of the story. The transitions between the stages of Bernstein’s life are seamless, thanks to smart editing that never feels jarring or overly stylized.
And then there’s the music. Bernstein’s compositions are, of course, front and center, and they’re presented with reverence and vitality. The film brings his work to life in a way that feels celebratory, whether it’s through soaring symphonies or tender piano solos. The score works as both a tribute to Bernstein’s genius and a means of driving the narrative forward.
The Cons: A Story That Occasionally Loses Its Rhythm
While Maestro is brimming with passion and artistry, its narrative structure isn’t as fine-tuned as its performances or visuals. The film attempts to cover decades of Bernstein’s life, and while this approach provides a broad overview of his accomplishments and struggles, it also leads to some pacing issues. Certain moments feel rushed, while others linger longer than necessary, creating an uneven rhythm.
The movie’s focus on Bernstein’s personal life, particularly his marriage, is compelling, but it sometimes overshadows other aspects of his story. His professional achievements, his cultural impact, and his struggles with his identity as a gay man in a time of societal repression are touched on but not explored with the depth they deserve. These elements are there, but they often feel like footnotes rather than fully realized parts of the narrative.
Additionally, while the film is undeniably emotional, it occasionally veers into melodrama. Some scenes feel like they’re trying too hard to wring tears from the audience, and while they’re effective to a degree, they can come off as a bit heavy-handed.
A Love Letter to Art and Complexity
Despite its flaws, Maestro succeeds in painting a poignant and respectful portrait of Leonard Bernstein. It’s a film that doesn’t shy away from his complexities, showing both his brilliance and his flaws. It acknowledges the contradictions of his life: a man who was deeply in love with his wife but also struggled with his sexuality, a genius who sometimes allowed his personal issues to overshadow his professional life.
What makes the film resonate is its ability to find beauty in these contradictions. Maestro doesn’t seek to present Bernstein as a perfect figure but rather as a deeply human one. It’s a story about love—love for music, love for family, love for life itself—and the sacrifices and struggles that come with it.
Final Thoughts: A Bit Uneven, But Still Moving
Maestro is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s visually stunning, emotionally charged, and carried by two powerhouse performances from Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan. While its storytelling is occasionally uneven and its scope a bit too broad, it’s still an affecting tribute to one of the 20th century’s greatest musical minds.
This is a movie that will appeal to fans of Bernstein’s work, those who love a good biopic, and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, deeply emotional drama. It might not be perfect, but it’s undeniably heartfelt, and that counts for a lot.