“Maestro” was the most-anticipated original film to hit Netflix in 2023. Based on the life of famed conductor Leonard Bernstein, people in the entertainment industry expect the movie to receive many Academy Award nominations and even a few wins. After watching the film, I must say I don’t share their enthusiasm about “Maestro.” The movie is available now only on Netflix.
When the film opens a young Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) is the assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic. The year is 1943 and Bernstein is only 25 years old. The guest conductor who is supposed to perform that night falls ill, and Bernstein is tapped to replace him. Bernstein turns in a virtuoso performance and immediately rockets to stardom in the industry.
Even though Bernstein has a casual relationship with a male clarinetist, he becomes infatuated with Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan) after a chance encounter at a party. The two become inseparable. Felicia seems to be as enamored with Bernstein as he is with her. The couple go on to marry and have three children.
As the 1950s roll around they are living the high life in New York City. Bernstein has become even more famous, not only as a conductor, but also as a composer of operas and Broadway musicals. “West Side Story” is one of his most well-known works. The celebrity couple must have a perfect life. Right? Wrong.
Bernstein has a string of dalliances with men, something that Felicia just can’t countenance. The happy couple is not so happy anymore. When you throw in Bernstein’s alcohol and drug abuse the marriage becomes untenable for Felicia.
Though his actions mostly tell a different story, Bernstein insists he loves Felicia through it all. He may be a great conductor and composer, but he was not a good husband.
Going into this movie I knew little to nothing about Leonard Bernstein. The name was vaguely familiar and, if pressed, I likely would have guessed he was a conductor. But that’s it. I also knew very little about the symphony. Symphonies, operas and musicals aren’t exactly in my wheelhouse. After watching the film, I now know more than I ever wanted to know about Leonard Bernstein, but still know very little about the symphony or what makes a good conductor or even why Bernstein was a great conductor.
The film tackles the two facets of Bernstein’s life: his personal life and his professional life. Most of the focus was on his personal life, or even more specifically, on his relationship with Felicia. The film would have been more interesting if the spotlight had hovered longer on his professional life. How did he become such a great conductor? What was the secret of his success as a composer? What are the traits that make a successful leader of an orchestra? Viewers will never know the answers to these questions because they aren’t even addressed in the movie.
Bradley Cooper not only starred in the film as the lead character, but he also co-wrote and directed the film. It was a passion project of his that he worked on for many years. He reportedly went to the symphony four days a week for four years and even learned how to properly conduct an orchestra for at least a few pieces to make the film the genuine article. I appreciate his dedication and both he and Carey Mulligan performed well, but they couldn’t save the film.
The biggest problem with the film is the subject matter. Symphonies and musicals mean nothing to me. I watched the movie because Bradley Cooper is a great actor and I was expecting an interesting story. That did not come to pass. In addition to the subject matter appealing to only a certain segment of the population, I just didn’t find the life of Leonard Bernstein to be interesting. At all. The movie was dull and seemed to last forever.
“Maestro” is not my cup of tea, and that’s okay. Not everyone is going to like every movie. This film is not for everyone. If you like symphonies or have an affinity for Leonard Bernstein in particular you should stop what you are doing and go watch this film now. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and skip this one.
Grade: C-
Rated R for some language and drug use.
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Bradley Griffith is a local attorney and a lifelong movie buff.