Bradley Cooper directs and stars in ‘Maestro’, less a biography of Leonard Bernstein than an intimate and heartbreaking recollection of his marriage to Felicia Montealegra. Played with immaculate grace by Carey Mulligan, the film soars on occasions wholly because of her phenomenal performance. If she doesn’t get nominated for best actress, it will be a tragedy. And while Cooper is certainly no slouch as the singularly gifted musician and composer, he simply can’t hold a candle to her radiance. The movie itself is a bit of a mess, sloppily edited, slow and meandering, and ultimately unfocused; only rising above mediocrity when the emotional core between the husband and wife is at the forefront. And while Leonard sleeping around with men whilst being married to someone who he truly loved and admired isn’t exactly analogous to the films faults, it does seem that both he and the movie itself wanted to have their cake and eat it too.
Supporting actors: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Sarah Silverman
Film length: 129'
Release date: 20/12/2023
Rating:
