Behind the Planet of the Apes (1998)

I don’t think it's important to know who Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) is before going into Maestro.Although it is a film about the famed American composer’s life, the story doesn’t flow like a conventional biopic. There is no emphasis on particular events or moments in the artist's life that helped shape him.Nor are there many scenes that would contribute to filling out his biography and solidifying an already legendary status in the pantheon of great composers.

The movie is more of an old Hollywood romance, with a big score, and beautiful black and white cinematography. The two leads, Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, are fully invested in their characters and a specific, somewhat complex affair.They are soulmates, star-crossed lovers. This is a transcendent love story, larger than life, while meticulously examining each individual musical note. It encapsulates something both intricate and simple in all the right ways.