It’s 2023 and a lack of cultural sensitivity can lead to dire consequences, especially for those in creative fields. On that note, actor-director Bradley Cooper has received some flak for a particular choice he made for the upcoming Leonard Bernstein biopic ‘Maestro’. The 48-year-old is simultaneously directing the film while also portraying the legendary American composer. Let’s break down the controversy around Netflix’s Maestro and understand why Leonard Bernstein’s family rushed to defend Bradely Cooper.
Bradley Cooper’s nose controversy in Maestro
Earlier this week, Netflix dropped the first trailer for the Bradley Cooper starrer/directorial ‘Maestro’. The film explores the life of Leonard Bernstein, who is considered to be one of the most important conductors of his time.
While the trailer looked world class, Bradley Cooper’s appearance sparked backlash among certain groups of people. To be more specific, his prosthetic nose was the issue. Cooper had used makeup to make his nose look bigger in size, similar to Bernstein’s nose.
At first glance, the prosthetic nose is completely harmless. It’s quite simply a measure to ensure that Bradley Cooper looks convincing as Leonard Bernstein. However, social media users suggest that it’s an offensive Jewish stereotype or as some labeled it: ‘Jewface’.
https://twitter.com/docnoir_/status/1691710391372411153?s=20
As a matter of fact, first-look images from the film drew the same controversy at the time of their release. THR’s film critic Daniel Feinberg said Bradley Cooper’s appearance could be problematic and that the movie featured ethnic cosplay.
Hollywood cast Bradley Cooper – a non Jew – to play Jewish legend Leonard Bernstein and stuck a disgusting exaggerated “Jew nose” on him.
All while saying no to Jake Gyllenhaal, an actually Jewish man, who has dreamt of playing Bernstein for decades.
Sickening. pic.twitter.com/YzudOstRAE
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 16, 2023
Furthermore, Jewish actress Tracy-Ann Oberman compared the prosthetic nose to blackface make-up. Apart from this, Netflix has been criticized for not casting a Jewish actor to play Leonard Bernstein’s role.
Leonard Bernstein’s family defends Bradley Cooper
The late composer’s family has immediately rushed to Bradley Cooper’s defense following the ‘Jewface’ allegations. Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein released a collective statement clarifying that they were okay with the actor-director using a prosthetic nose.
They acknowledged that their father did have a ‘nice, big nose’ and that even he would have been fine with Cooper using makeup to amplify his resemblance. The family believes that the film has portrayed Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia with utmost respect.
In fact, Bradley Cooper had included Bernstein’s children throughout all steps of the Netflix biopic’s making. This shows his commitment to the conductor’s story as well as his love and respect for his body of work.
All details about the upcoming film Maestro
More than a biopic, Maestro focuses on the relationship between Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre, who is also the mother of his children. BAFTA winner Carey Mulligan (best known for Drive and The Great Gatsby) plays Felicia.
Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan in ‘MAESTRO’ pic.twitter.com/6CYpPw0DTO
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 15, 2023
Maestro has some legendary producers to its name including Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Bradley Cooper himself. The film’s cast includes Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman, Michael Urie, Gideon Glick, Sam Nivola, Miriam Shor and Alexa Swinton.
Distributed by Netflix, Maestro is set to premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2023. The film will be available for streaming on Netflix on December 20, 2023.
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