Bradley Cooper as an actor, director, producer, and co-writer is brilliant in the film Maestro. A biographical sketch of the life of the celebrated conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, it is a beautiful depiction of human life and relationships as it sheds light on Bernstein’s troubled marriage with wife Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.
Despite leaning more on his marriage and marital troubles, the film offers a rare glimpse at the man behind the myth. As the film goes on to earn multiple accolades and secures 7 nominations at the Academy Awards, Cooper as Bernstein has a rare chance of taking the legendary composer in the league of others like Elton John, a feat he failed to achieve during his lifetime.
Bradley Cooper Can Elevate Leonard Bernstein to Among The Likes Of Elton John
Leonard Bernstein and Elton John are both pioneers of the music landscape. While the former was an American conductor, composer, pianist, and music educator, the latter is a British singer, composer, and pianist. Bernstein remains a legendary composer, one of a kind whose compositions continue to be strung and soar in the musical hall of fame.
Despite his elevated status as a legend, Bernstein lacks one thing that distinguishes him from the likes of Elton John, an EGOT status. Missing an Academy Award, even though he remains one of the most celebrated figures in the American music scene (see Telegraph), Bernstein is the recipient of 16 Grammys, 7 Emmys, and 2 Tony Awards against 1 Oscar nomination (via IMDb).
And now Maestro, a film closely based on Jamie Bernstien’s (Bernstien’s daughter) memoir Famous Father Girl, has been nominated for 7 Academy Awards (via Deadline). While the competition is tough, if Bradley Cooper lands an Academy Award win for the film based on the famous West Side Story composer, Cooper will surely place him in a league he so well deserves.
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Much To The Amazement Of Bradley Cooper, Maestro Lands 7 Oscar Nominations
From a concert hall to the revered stage of Broadway and beyond, Leonard Bernstein produced some of the most electrifying musical symphonies that continue to be sounded regularly across the world. While the film seldom touches upon the musical genius he was rather focusing more on his marital troubles arising from his sexuality, Maestro’s 7 Oscar nominations are a big win nonetheless for the legacy of the late star.
They are an even bigger win for Bradley Cooper, now among the only 3 other actor-directors who have directed themselves for a Best Actor Oscar nomination, twice (via Deadline). Having been nominated for the Oscars a total of 13 times till now, a win for Maestro will surely be a historic event for him and Bernstein.
While speaking to Deadline, the Star is Born actor remarked that he felt thankful and surreal to be even included among such incredible films. As fans celebrate his success, they sincerely hope he will be able to secure a win this time after losing 9 times in a row since his first nomination in 2013.
Although he lost the nomination for the Best Director Award despite securing it at the BAFTA nominations, Maestro has been nominated for — Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Sound — at the 2024 Academy Awards happening on March 10 in Los Angeles.
Maestro can be streamed on Netflix.
