Bradley Cooper is determined to become more than just a handsome and trendy actor: he wants to be a top-notch director and compete among the best. A Star is Born was his obvious statement of intent; a film he starred in alongside a newly debuted actress Lady Gaga that earned him recognition from the general public.
Now, he returns with a second feature film that is no less important than the previous one, even though it is different. In Maestro, Cooper himself takes on the role of Leonard Bernstein, the famous 20th-century composer and pianist who became one of the most important musical figures of the time. The film tells the story of Bernstein’s relationship with Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan) and aims to be his big entry into the Oscars. But how did it turn out?
What does the critics say about Maestro?
The first reviews for Maestro have come out on Rotten Tomatoes, and the truth is that things have gone pretty well for good old Cooper. The film has achieved an 81% positive reviews, as well as an 89% audience approval. Here are some of the most notable reviews:
“This is a movie that you will think about long after the credits” – Stephen Romei, The Australian
“Cooper’s second film offers a disjointed narrative, a combination of compelling moments with flat notes. But it seems to be made for Mulligan to shine in an otherwise boring movie” – Maxwell Rabb, Chicago Reader
“Everything emanates from Cooper’s virtuoso performance, or rather, from his successive performances. First, as the enthusiastic, brilliant, and slightly manic young Bernstein. Then, as the older, more formal but still volatile man” – Jake Wilson, The Age
“Perhaps it’s not the most comprehensive portrait of Bernstein. But it’s a pretty solid introduction to a man with as many layers as his musical compositions” – Keith Garlington, Keith and the movies
“Bradley Cooper directs all the elements of this film as if it were an entertainment symphony” – Jackie K. Cooper
