What a powerful mask! In the new trailer for the biopic “Maestro” Bradley Cooper is barely recognizable as aged composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Already in theaters on December 6 and then on Netflix on December 20, 2024.
At the end of the year, the red “N” knocks out another potential film highlight for its customers*: already on December 20, 2023, Bradley Cooper’s second directorial work, “Maestro,” will be available for download from the streaming giant. Before that, the Bernstein biopic will also be shown on the big screen in selected cinemas – starting as early as December 6, 2023.
That it is well worth going to the cinema for the biographical film about the 28-year-old young composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) already makes clear the new trailer, which has now been released. In addition to impressive concert scenes, which certainly want to be enjoyed with the best possible audio equipment, it is probably especially the transformation of Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, which should cause many people an incredulous amazement. The latter is hardly recognizable as the aged composer Bernstein under a pile of make-up.
AND THAT’S WHAT “MAESTRO “
IS ALL ABOUT.
Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) is an aspiring conductor at the beginning of his career. But after a phone call in 1943, his life is never to be the same again, as he is asked to fill in at short notice for the ailing Bruno Walter and conduct the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. A unique opportunity and actually a steep career springboard.
But Bernstein does not necessarily want to follow this path and is supported in his ideas by the actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn (Carey Mulligan), to whom he has lost his heart. For he not only wants to lead orchestras, but also to play himself and create his own music. Success soon follows across the board, from stage musicals to cinema scores. But slowly cracks begin to appear in the initially harmonious marriage between the musical genius and Felicia, as Leonard struggles to hide his affairs with young men…
CAN’T KEEP UP THE HIGH TEMPO
We could already see “Maestro” at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, where it had its world premiere as part of the official competition. Unfortunately for editor Björn Becher, the film was only able to hold its suspense to a limited extent after a strong opening. In the FILMSTARTS review, there is therefore only a solid 3 out of 5 possible stars, which are primarily due to an outstanding Carey Mulligan:
“The structurally rather classic biopic is a ride through the various stations in the career of the legendary musical genius. But the real attraction turns out to be more and more his wife Felicia, herself a celebrated actress. This is a real stroke of luck: because even if the film starts out quite fast-paced and playful, at some point various turning points in the couple’s lives are covered quite dryly – and then it is above all the fabulous Carey Mulligan who provides the bright spots. “
