Bradley Cooper’s new biopic, Maestro, has collected over $200,000 from its limited theatrical debut, the highest for Netflix since 2019. Critics have only words of praise for this beautiful film starring Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, and Maya Hawke. However, Cooper almost considered quitting the film after getting frustrated on set. It was a chance encounter with a stranger on a plane that persuaded him to stay committed to the character.
Maestro explores the story of American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, with a focus on his relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Cooper prepared nearly six years to get into the role of Bernstein and critics believe that the Hangover actor delivered an Oscar-worthy performance.
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Bradley Cooper Almost Quit Maestro If It Was Not For A Stranger On A Plane
Bradley Cooper appeared in an interview with Howard Stern on his show, where he talked in length about his upcoming film, Maestro. The film was Cooper’s second directorial venture after A Star is Born. The double job of acting and directing proved overwhelming for the Joy actor to the point that he badly wanted to quit. However, one particular incident helped him to change his perspective.
Cooper shared that while on the verge of quitting, he met a stranger woman on a plane, who claimed to be the goddaughter of Leonard Bernstein. She approached the Guardians of the Galaxy actor and asked him about the film’s progress. Cooper viewed the coincidence as a sign from Bernstein himself, urging him to commit to the project. Cooper shared with The Howard Stern Show:
“To me, the minute that happened, it was like Lenny saying, ‘No, motherf***er, you’re doing this movie.’”
The meeting was just one of the instances where the project ‘told’ him what to do. Another example was the casting of Carey Mulligan, which turned out to be pivotal for the movie. Cooper revealed that he saw a one-woman show starring the Promising Young Woman actress while researching for Maestro and immediately found her the right fit. Cooper added that it was a “moment of divine intervention”, stating:
“I was lucky I was open enough to listen to what this project was telling me to do, which happened a lot in this movie.”
Yet, it was not mere luck that worked for the Aloha actor. He meticulously researched his character and worked hard to capture the voice and the conducting skills of Leonard Bernstein.
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Bradley Cooper’s Maestro Is On The Right Track For Oscar Nominations
Maestro has some reputed names behind it, with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg backing the project. Both the directors had plans to direct the film, but their prior commitments made it impossible. After watching A Star is Born, both were convinced of Bradley Cooper’s ability as a director. The film was released to a festival audience at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.
The film received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Cooper and Mulligan’s performances. The movie was later released in limited theaters on November 22, earning a total of $300,000 over the Thanksgiving period. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a commendable 84% freshness rating and a 94% audience score.
The film is set to reach a wider audience when it releases on Netflix.
