#REVIEW: “MAESTRO”

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

It’s been days now and I still cannot shake this cinematic Bio-Drama from my mind. Sensually filmed in black and white as well as in colour with brilliant editing choices and segues, it’s a masterful portrayal of a genius in his specialized field as well as his personal relationship dilemmas without sugar coating some of the warts that makes the man, Furthermore, it captivates and introduces the audience to a rarified world we tend to know little about. And…no…I am not talking about “Oppenheimer”!!

MAESTRO arrives with an impressive pedigree. Bradley Cooper not only directed, produced, co-wrote with Josh Singer (Spotlight, First Man), and stars alongside double Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, this Movie counts Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as its Producers as well.

The Movie opens 25-year-old Leonard Bernstein receiving a phone call and told that he will make his debut conducting the New York Philharmonic as a last-minute replacement for the Orchestra’s Conductor who has fallen ill. Ecstatic, he awakens his romantic partner (Matt Bomer in a striking yet underutilized performance). In one unbroken shot (the first of many brilliant transitions throughout the Movie), we see Bernstein go from the bedroom to his triumphant stage debut. Now acclaimed, he reaches untold career heights and meets Felicia Montealegre (a Broadway Actress) and not only is he smitten with her she becomes his lifelong love, surprising many of those who know him best which includes his sister (a captivating Sarah Silverman).

Now married to Felicia, having children and receiving universal acclaim for composing music for the theatre, ballet and films (which include the Score for “On the Waterfront”), it does not stop Bernstein from having many assignations with men which his wife usually turns a blind eye to.

The word that flashes in my brain when I think about MAESTRO is in uppercase, blinking neon letters – PASSION. As an Actor, Bradley Cooper encapsulates that word with his performance. Whether he is conducting an orchestra or stoned on “Coke” at a disco, the moment when music comes to play, euphoria enters Bernstein’s being and he is transported into a world of love, laughter and passion. Watching Cooper’s face at these times is transformative and in a career of many highs, this may be Cooper’s finest moment. As the Director, Cooper’s unwavering respect for Bernstein’s body of work is beyond commendable. As a self-proclaimed Broadway baby, Cooper’s wholly original take of the Choreography in “On the Town” had me aflutter and the surprising snippet from “West Side Story” was inspirational. Whereas I personally never developed the knowledge to appreciate Classical music, Cooper never edits the longer musical pieces and we bask in the visual glory of Bernstein sweat and shakes from the innermost part of his soul as he stands at the conductor’s podium to bring out the best in the composition and of his musicians.

Equally as passionate is the performance from Carey Mulligan as we watch her skillfully maneuver through the decades of her marriage. It is an inventive, hypnotic and exemplary execution and prepare to see Mulligan’s name all awards season.

MAESTRO opens theatrically starting December 1, 2023 before arriving on Netflix on December 20, 2023. If ever there’s a movie one must see on the big screen, it is this one. It’s definitely one of the best of 2023 and I cannot wait to savour it again and again.