I was actually surprised by this morning’s news that post-production work on Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” had been completed.
So, this means that the NYC test-screening that occurred on 02.09.22 must have, more or less, been the finished product. Reaction from that screening was mixed, but one person I spoke to, a former film critic, loved it.
The first 20 or so minutes of the film are said to be in black and white, but then it’s basically all in color after that intro. The makeup work is said to be incredible, Cooper’s Bernstein ages in very realistic fashion.
Cooper has been working closely with the Bernstein estate over the past couple of years to nail the details of this biopic.
Suffice to say, this has been Cooper’s passion project for quite a few years now and I can’t wait to see it. There’s one scene that keeps getting mentioned — Bernstein conducting at a cathedral.
The film is said to focus more on Bernstein's relationship with his wife (Carey Mulligan) than it does on his music, but has some great musical moments nonetheless. One of the other highlights is an On the Town dance/dream sequence.
The supporting characters, including Maya Hawke and Sarah Silverman, who plays his sister, are said to be the weak points. Matt Bomer and Gideon Glick play Bernstein's lovers and they're supposedly very strong.
The upcoming film is a biopic based on the life of Leonard Bernstein. It is said to span over 30 years, telling the story of the marriage between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre.
“Maestro” started shooting last May and wrapped in early Fall. It’s most likely doing the fall festival circuit (Toronto, Venice), probably smack dab in the middle of the Telluride/Venice/Toronto storm.