Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in ‘Maestro’ Jason McDonald/Netflix
Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in Maestro has sparked backlash — and antisemitic allegations.
The trailer for the upcoming Netflix movie — a biopic of the legendary composer — featured Cooper, 48, carrying a prosthetic nostril whereas portraying the late Jewish musician. Following the teaser’s launch on Tuesday, August 15, many viewers took to social media to decry the choice and accuse Cooper of antisemitism. (Giant noses are sometimes utilized in stereotypical depictions of Jewish folks.)
Bernstein’s kids, nonetheless, defended the Oscar winner’s choice, sharing a prolonged Twitter assertion on Wednesday, August 16, during which they said they have been “completely superb” with Cooper’s option to emulate their dad’s “good, huge nostril.”
“Bradley Cooper included the three of us alongside each step of his superb journey as he made his movie about our father. We have been touched to the core to witness the depth of his dedication, his loving embrace of our father’s music, and the sheer open-hearted pleasure he dropped at his exploration. It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts,” the late artist’s children — Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein — penned.
“It occurs to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a pleasant, huge nostril,” they continued. “Bradley selected to make use of make-up to amplify his resemblance, and we’re completely superb with that. We’re additionally sure that our dad would have been superb with it as properly. Any strident complaints round this concern strike us above all as disingenuous makes an attempt to deliver a profitable individual down a notch — a follow we noticed all too usually perpetrated on our personal father.”
The siblings concluded: “Always throughout the making of this movie, we might really feel the profound respect and sure, the love that Bradley dropped at his portrait of Leonard Bernstein and his spouse, our mom Felicia. We really feel so lucky to have had this expertise with Bradley, and we will’t look ahead to the world to see his creation.”
Maestro follows Bernstein and his relationship with spouse Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). The highly-anticipated film — which is about to be launched in September — additionally stars Matt Bomer, Jeremy Sturdy, Michael Urie, Sarah Silverman and extra. Their kids may even be depicted on display screen, with Maya Hawke taking part in Jamie, Alexa Swinton as Nina and Sam Nivola as Alexander.
Cooper — who additionally directed and wrote the movie — was deeply impressed by the Bernstein household, he informed The Hollywood Reporter in 2022.
“I simply did all this analysis about this unimaginable household, the Bernsteins, and Felicia Montealegre, [Leonard’s] spouse. Their relationship — fascinating — and the children. They’re so articulate about their emotions,” he gushed. “There’s the film; a film about marriage, a film about household. That’s it. Why is it nuclear? As a result of it’s this f–king music. Music is nuclear. I had a secret weapon in A Star Is Born. It was Woman Gaga. The key weapon I’ve on this film is f–king Leonard Bernstein and Gustav Mahler. The music!”
