Bradley Cooper, renowned for his on-screen performances, is set to take on a dual role in his upcoming film “Maestro,” marking his second directorial endeavor after the success of 2018’s hit “A Star Is Born.”
Collaborating with acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who assumes a producer’s role, Cooper’s latest work unveils its initial glimpse through the release of its first trailer. The film is poised to debut at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 2.
In addition to his directorial duties, Cooper also stars alongside Carey Mulligan in “Maestro.” The movie delves into the enduring bond between the legendary composer, conductor, and pianist Leonard Bernstein and his spouse Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.
This cinematic creation promises a heartfelt ode to the interplay of life and art while anchoring itself in a sweeping depiction of familial ties and love. While Bernstein never openly disclosed his sexuality, the film intriguingly delves into his purported relationships with men, featuring Matt Bomer as a clarinetist and one of Bernstein’s paramours.
A stellar ensemble fills out the cast, with Maya Hawke portraying Bernstein’s daughter Jamie, Sarah Silverman as the composer’s sister Shirley, and Michael Urie embodying dancer and choreographer Jerome Robbins. Gideon Glick, Sam Nivola, Miriam Shor, and Alexa Swinton grace the screen in this multifaceted narrative.
Originally intended as a directorial project for Scorsese, his focus shifted to “The Irishman,” leading Cooper to seize the reins. Scorsese, however, remained attached as a producer alongside Todd Phillips and Steven Spielberg. Cooper recounted how Spielberg, acknowledging his affinity for conducting from childhood, offered him a role, to which he responded with the aspiration to write and direct the film himself, a proposition Spielberg endorsed.
The eagerly anticipated “Maestro” is primed for its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, followed by select theater releases on November 22. The film will subsequently grace Netflix screens on December 20.
