Bradley Cooper’s passionate performance as Leonard Bernstein, with same from Carey Mulligan as his talented wife is not to be missed. The actor and director devoted years trying to create a vibrant portrait that gives context and depth to his life as well as the music of this musical genius. Cooper co-wrote the script with Josh Singer who’s documentary style (Spotlight, The Post, The West Wing) helps capture in detail the character of Bernstein and his relationships.
Cooper has been criticized for the facial prosthetics emphasizing his nose, but he, himself, describes his own as large, saying that his makeup designer, Kazu Hiro, only put a thin layer over it, using more to change his chin and jaw line as he ages in the film. We thought Cooper’s makeup was not as good in the early scenes as the young composer, but in later scenes, it’s spot-on for his hair, tan, shape of his face to fit the Bernstein look.
Cooper, himself, became enamored with conducting an orchestra at the age of 6 watching Tom and Jerry and Bugs Bunny conducting with batons in cartoons. He was fascinated by the process that a man could move his arms and create such amazing sounds. For this film, it took 6 years for him to learn how to conduct 6 minutes of Mahler’s 2nd Symphony at Ely Cathedral as dramatically as Bernstein did with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1973. For this film, Cooper led the orchestra with Bernstein’s flourish of movements, and did it in one take “live,” which is a major feat in filmmaking.
years between Lenny and Felicia. They were soul mates. She was a talented actress in her own right. He respected her greatly. Bernstein was a good family man, and he and Felicia were devoted to each other, despite his homosexual infidelities. Cooper skillfully bookends their romantic relationship with a beautifully shot scene of them talking to each other, back to back, on the ground in a park, discussing, giggling, teasing and being tender to each other. He uses it effectively to punctuate their relationship as well.
Mulligan is a revelation in this film. The story, in many ways, is more about Felicia than about how she handled his missteps and achievements. Her effervescence when joyous, yet heartbreakingly depressed, conscious of her husband’s sexual proclivities are well played. But they both, and particularly Mulligan show even more range portraying Felicia when she becomes seriously ill. The scene where she is trying to hide her suffering, dabbing her nose and mouth, struggling yet trying not to show it, is delicate and very moving. It may bring you to tears.
Cooper reached out to Bernstein’s grown children when tackling the idea of making this film. Not only were they cooperative, they allowed him to shoot scenes in the Bernstein family home. And after screening it, gave their stamp of approval. They even decided to spend Thanksgiving together!
Cooper never knew him personally, (Bernstein died in 1990) but he spent so much time watching, listening and taking on the characteristics of Leonard Bernstein that he is very believable, nose and otherwise, as the great conductor and composer.
It is important to watch with a good sound system for the music, but especially for Cooper’s execution conducting Mahler’s Symphony in the cathedral later in the film. It is exquisitely inspiring. Kudos to Bradley Cooper for his commanding, demanding direction and research, plus his and Carey Mulligan’s passionate performances, bringing, this Maestro, more vibrant than ever, back to life.
Netflix 2 Hours 9 Minutes R
In Theaters now. Streaming December 20th.
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