Maestro (2023)

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.

If I sound like I’m gushing, it’s only because I appreciate the size of this production, the way it aspires to say big, beautiful things in the way that only movies can.

That’s not to say Maestro does not have its flaws.I think it suffers from a problem of cohesion.I believe Bradley Cooper has a lot of ideas and attitudes to express, but in incorporating them all, I think he loses track of the essential narrative. The story could have been more clearly delineated, hammered out for the audience to easily follow and appreciate.

I think there might also be an over-reliance on imagery. We see the gray hairs, the wrinkles in skin, (the make-up in this film is astounding and I would not be surprised if it took home Best Make-up at this year’s Oscars), and even the changes in Bernstein’s tone of voice.The shots get more static late into the film, and the children are replaced by older actors to parallel the main character’s aging.The music advances along to more contemporary sounds, through records and car radios. Together, these are indicators to the audience that we are traversing years, decades even.

These are our only clues, however, as most of the film consists of ordinary encounters.Bernstein’s accomplishments are only mentioned in passing, it’s left to viewers to research about the musician’s life and work. We are presented ordinary encounters that come and go without clearly portrayed impact on the character or indications of his rise to fame and success. As viewers, we are left with an impression but lack a clear understanding of the main character, his influences, and other contributions to his music.