Maestro Parent Guide

A complex, contradictory man, Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) is impossible to pigeonhole. He’s a brilliant composer with an eye for the stage, but he aspires to be a serious conductor of classical music. He’s madly in love with his wife, Felicia (Carey Mulligan), but is constantly tempted into infidelity by every handsome young man who happens past. His powerful personality and staggering talent are enough to keep everything together – but his many contradictions will soon demand that he make some choices about the things that really matter in his life.

Fueled by powerful performances from Cooper and Mulligan, Maestro paints a fascinating portrait of the complex life of one of Americas greatest modern composers and conductors. The film is scored mostly by Bernstein’s own work, which certainly helps, but is also bolstered by skilled technical filmmaking. Being, as it is, a biopic of a composer, the movie isn’t exactly action-oriented, but a compelling script keeps pushing the film along without getting too bogged down in the minutiae or subplot.

There are, of course, some content concerns. Bernstein did not lead a PG-13 life, and the filmmakers aren’t about to claim otherwise. He smokes nearly constantly, and there’s a good deal of social drinking (sometimes to excess) and a brief scene of cocaine use. Then there are his many bisexual affairs, which aren’t portrayed with more than a touch or a kiss, but which are still adulterous. On the other hand, the swear count is pretty low (relatively speaking) and there is no violence of any kind.

It’s unsuitable for family audiences, but Maestro offers a compassionate portrait of a complicated man and his wonderful music. The movie is worth watching for the soundtrack alone, but fans of Bernstein won’t want to miss Cooper’s evocation of the composer either. If you’re somehow unfamiliar with Leonard Bernstein, this isn’t a bad introduction to one of the most significant American musicians in the last century. More than that, it’s a pretty interesting movie. Not a bad deal, if you ask me.