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Maestro 2023
Biographical dramaRomantic drama
A 2023 American biographical romantic drama film, Maestro focuses on the personal connection between composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. The movie was directed by Bradley Cooper, who also wrote the screenplay alongside Josh Singer. Production credits include Cooper, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Fred Berner, and . Leading roles feature Carey Mulligan portraying Montealegre and Cooper playing Bernstein. Supporting actors Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman also appear.
Development of a Leonard Bernstein biopic started in 2008 but stalled for almost ten years under Paramount Pictures. At different times, both Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg were set to direct, though they later stepped down while remaining as producers. In 2017, Cooper had already committed to acting, but after an early screening of his first directorial effort A Star Is Born (2018), he was named director and revised Singer's initial script. Additional cast members joined between 2020 and 2023. Principal photography occurred from May through October 2022 across locations including Los Angeles, Massachusetts, Connecticut where Bernstein lived, and England.
Maestro made its debut at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2023, earning a nomination for the Golden Lion. It had a limited release in theaters on November 22, 2023 before its wider release on Netflix on December 20. Critics responded positively overall, particularly praising direction and performances—especially those of Cooper and Mulligan—but criticizing the writing and presentation. Named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, it earned seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), and Best Actress (Mulligan). Additionally, it received seven BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Cast
- Bradley CooperLeonard Bernstein
- Carey MulliganFelicia Montealegre
- Matt Bomer[[David Oppenheim
- Sarah SilvermanShirley Bernstein
- Maya HawkeJamie Bernstein
- Josh HamiltonJohn Gruen
- Sam NivolaAlexander Bernstein
- Alexa SwintonNina Bernstein
- Vincenzo AmatoBruno Zirato
- Greg HildrethIsaac
- Michael UrieJerry Robbins
- Brian KlugmanAaron Copland
- Nick BlaemireAdolph Green
- Mallory PortnoyBetty Comden
- Yasen PeyankovSerge Koussevitzky
- Zachary BoothMendy Wager
- Miriam ShorCynthia O'Neal
- Scott EllisHarry Kraut
- Gideon GlickTommy Cothran
- June GableOld Lady
- Kate EastmanEllen Adler
Crew
- Director
- Bradley Cooper
- Writer
- Bradley Cooper, Josh Singer
- Producer
- Martin Scorsese, Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Kristie Macosko Krieger
- Cinematography
- Matthew Libatique
- Editing
- Michelle Tesoro
- Music
- Leonard Bernstein
Details
- Production
- Amblin Entertainment, Fred Berner Films, Lea Pictures, Sikelia Productions
- Distributor
- Netflix
- Budget
- $80 million
- Box office
- $523,000
