At the Venice Film Festival, the highly anticipated Netflix biographical drama titled “Maestro” has officially made its premiere. The film, written, produced, and directed by Bradley Cooper, who also takes on the role of the iconic composer Leonard Bernstein, received an extraordinary reception.
During its screening at the festival’s Sala Grande, the audien ce erupted into an extended standing ovation that continued for nearly 10 minutes. With early reviews now circulating, it’s evident that the movie has surpassed all expectations, earning widespread critical acclaim.
Portraying the intricate life of Bernstein and his intricate relationship with his wife Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, played by Carey Mulligan, the movie captivated the audience from start to finish. Garnering a remarkable rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film received praise from 19 out of 20 critics, painting a highly positive picture. Currently holding an average rating of 8.1/10, this score is likely to shift as more reviews pour in.
Among the many aspects earning accolades, performances, cinematography, and sound design have stood out prominently. However, the film hasn’t been devoid of controversy. The use of prosthetics has sparked debates, a topic that the film’s makeup artist, Kazu Hiro, addressed during the Venice press conference. These controversies have added an intriguing layer of anticipation to the movie, making it even more of a talking point.
Even though Bradley Cooper couldn’t be present at the premiere due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the enthusiastic reception from the audience underlined the lasting impact of his dual roles as an actor and director. This warm reception also echoes Cooper’s prior success at the festival with “A Star Is Born,” another acclaimed musical romance-drama that marked his directorial debut. While Netflix has only released a teaser so far, the film has long been touted as a strong contender for the upcoming awards season, and the positive feedback from critics has only bolstered its campaign.
Alongside Cooper and Mulligan, the cast features Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman, creating a dynamic ensemble. The screenplay was co-written by Cooper and Josh Singer, while the film was co-produced by industry heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. Interestingly, Spielberg was initially set to direct the project but later passed the reins to Cooper after being impressed by “A Star Is Born.”
“Maestro” is set to have a limited theatrical release on November 22 before becoming available for streaming on Netflix starting December 20.
