Bradley Cooper on 'Maestro': "It's Not Acting, Directing... It's All One Thing"

Bradley Cooper's journey in the realm of cinema has been nothing short of remarkable, culminating in  three Oscar nominations for his work on Netflix's 'Maestro.' This recent acclaim adds to his already impressive tally of nine Academy Award nominations across various roles in the industry.

From his performances in films like 'Silver Linings Playbook,' 'American Hustle,' 'American Sniper' and 'A Star Is Born' to his producing credits on projects like 'American Sniper,' 'A Star Is Born,' 'Joker', and 'Nightmare Alley,' Cooper has established himself as a versatile talent capable of excelling in multiple facets of filmmaking.

With his latest nominations, Bradley Cooper now stands as a 12-time nominee across acting, producing, and writing categories, solidifying his status as one of the most successful multi-hyphenates in contemporary cinema. 

It's no surprise then that he would choose a compelling subject like Leonard Bernstein for his sophomore directorial venture, Maestro. In the film, Cooper takes on the role of the enigmatic composer and conductor, while co-star Carey Mulligan portrays Bernstein's wife, Felicia Montealegre.

However, Maestro is not your typical biopic. Instead of focusing solely on Bernstein's musical genius, 

The film delves into the intricacies of his marriage with Montealegre. It explores the dynamics of their relationship, peeling back layers to reveal the complexities and nuances of two individuals who seemed destined for each other.

Cooper's approach to the story goes beyond a surface-level portrayal, aiming to capture the essence of their connection and the challenges they faced together.

In a conversation, Bradley Cooper shared insights into the making of Maestro and how his understanding of Bernstein evolved during the filmmaking process. He realised that he shared more similarities with Bernstein than he initially thought, discovering a deeper connection to the celebrated composer and conductor through the lens of their shared human experiences.

-Sushmita Sarkar