Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in the new film “Maestro” has received a lot of criticism, but it seems that in Italy this weekend, it received more applause than outrage, especially from Bernstein’s children.
The film was screened at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation from a select audience. However, none of the cast members were present due to the ongoing actors’ strike.
According to reports, the applause lasted for around seven minutes, with people on their feet showing their appreciation for the film. Many accounts suggest that Bradley Cooper is a front-runner for Best Actor after his performance in “Maestro”.
One notable aspect of the reaction was that Leonard Bernstein’s adult children were in the crowd and seemed thrilled by what they saw on the screen. After the credits rolled, Jamie, Alexander, and Nina were seen enthusiastically fake-conducting along to their father’s music, with tears in their eyes.
The fact that Bernstein’s children, who were present at the screening, enjoyed the film is significant. It suggests that they were not bothered by the controversy surrounding Bradley Cooper’s prosthetic nose in the movie, with some accusing him of “Jewface”. LB’s children publicly spoke out in support of Cooper, stating that they are fine with how he looks on camera, as their father did indeed have a large nose.
The controversy surrounding the film and Cooper’s appearance will likely continue, but the positive reaction from audiences and Bernstein’s children may help alleviate some of the criticism. “Maestro” is set to release in November, and only time will tell if the outrage will impact its reception.
Overall, the standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and the support from Leonard Bernstein’s children indicate that “Maestro”, despite the controversy, has had a positive impact on its audience. Bradley Cooper’s performance has received acclaim, making him a strong contender for Best Actor.
