While Bradley Cooper’s Maestro has reaped a generally positive assessment from critics, the audiences’ verdict on social media platforms suggests that not everyone took a liking to the biographical film revolving around the relationship between legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre.
One’s taste can be subjective, but the sheer, unrestrained dedication exhibited by the director, co-writer, producer, and starring man, Cooper, in bringing the project to life cannot be overlooked.
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In traversing his way through several responsibilities simultaneously, the actor’s intriguing utilization of method acting underscores the nature of Maestro‘s materialization. Not only did the helmer pursue the endeavor by metamorphosing into Bernstein’s representation, but he adopted the character to the core of his being, transforming into the younger and older iterations of the famed conductor at ease.
Interestingly enough, Cooper’s mental shift in the varying ages of the composer would determine the course of the production: on days when he was “old Lenny,” the set moved slowly, while on days when he was “young Lenny,” the energy was booming!
Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Method Acting Helped Him Transform Into Leonard Bernstein
Talking to Spike Lee for Variety’s Directors on Directors, Cooper, who had six years to prepare for the 2023 biographical film, suggested that his first observance of witnessing a performer stay “in the voice of a character” was through American Hustle co-actor Christian Bale. As we may know, Bale’s physical transformations, combined with a nuanced depiction of a character’s psyche, have generated multiple headlines throughout his decorated filmography.
The Guardians of the Galaxy alum had previously heard stories of Daniel Day-Lewis, another venerated method actor. However, what boggled Bradley Cooper‘s mind and what he couldn’t initially figure out was how these actors dealt with a break in reality—when one must step out of the character.
Watching Bale helped Cooper eventually realize that he was “overthinking” it. The Batman Begins alum would retain his character’s voice and sustain the illusion, but he would also talk to Cooper about his kids, about the ‘real’.
And that’s how, post-American Hustle, the Silver Linings Playbook star has employed a similar method in his films where he would remain in the “character’s voice” instead of over-complicating the technique.
Maestro was no exception.
He had practically ‘become’ Leonard Bernstein for the movie—even while directing it! But it wasn’t as simple as you’d think.
Cooper told Spike Lee that the actor would mentally age himself up and down, as an older and younger Bernstein, to portray the many facets and phases of the composer’s life, the result of which had an impact on the entire tone of the production.
Bradley Cooper Mentally Aged Himself To Play Leonard Bernstein
When director Spike Lee queried whether Bradley Cooper provided instructions to the set while embodying Leonard Bernstein, or as the latter would dub ‘the character’s voice,’ the Burnt star confirmed that he did so.
There was a catch, though. Since the actor’s depiction of the prominent composer encompassed the various stages of his life, from young to old, the energy on the set would change accordingly, given Cooper’s directorial responsibilities.
He described it as follows:
“With this situation, because I was Lenny throughout his life, it was unique and hilarious. When it was young Lenny, the energy [on set] was faster, and we got more done. And then, [with] old Lenny, it had a slower gear. So, it wasn’t just the voice—it was Lenny. If you ask the crew or cast, it was Lenny directing the movie.”
During The Hollywood Reporter‘s Directors Roundtable, Cooper had a similar point to affirm:
“…I would be Lenny all day. And then he was different ages, so the crew was like, “Oh, we got young Lenny. This is going to be a quick day.” Old Lenny, it’s like, “Oh, here we go.” The first scene … shot was when old Lenny teaches [a student] conducting. […] I remember … feeling like, “Are the crew going to start laughing at me?” And they didn’t. It was like, “Oh, we’re a troupe.”
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Maintaining character throughout takes demonstrates the actor’s distinct approach to acting and directing, which brought Maestro to life. Undoubtedly, in bringing the endeavor to the screen, the star put in mind-boggling efforts, proving that his stint as a multi-talented creative paid off.
Although the passion project failed to snag a win at the Golden Globes and has reaped mixed evaluations from audiences, Bradley Cooper’s unbelievable preparation and techniques triumphed in creating wonder and intrigue on the internet.
Maestro (2023) is available to watch on Netflix.
