REVIEW: MAESTRO

4/5

A Star Is Reborn.

129 Mins. Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke & Sarah Silverman. Screenplay: Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer. Director: Bradley Cooper. In: Theatres. On: Netflix. 

Taking his glove off to shake my hand in the bitter New York winter cold, after I thanked him for his performance in 'Silver Linings Playbook' helping my anxiety struggles, Bradley Cooper is a true gentleman. Despite some of the sleaze labels some have given him in Hollywood, when they made a scandal out of how good his and the Academy Award-winning Lady Gaga's performances were in the 'A Star Is Born' remake powerhouse. Like David Spade said after their Oscars' performance of their hit (and one of Gaga's biggest), 'Shallow', "are these guys f#####g?!" Turns out they were just f#####g with us, and as a matter of fact were just absolutely amazing actors. Back when I met him, after Russell's 'Playbook' with Lawrence (David O. and Jennifer respectively), we were beginning to see shades of Cooper's true calling on the stage. 'The Hangover' star was on Broadway for his empathetic and all-encompassing portrayal of 'The Elephant Man', which made it to London's West End. Following this and Bradley's directorial debut, we now know what's true with this star reborn. Bradley Cooper isn't just one of the best leading men out there, he's also one of this generation's great directors, in the actor slash mode of a Ben Affleck chasing the legendary likes of 'The Tender Bar' of George Clooney and the great Clint Eastwood (who Cooper collaborated with front and centre in 'American Sniper' and then in support of 'The Mule').

Composed and conducting himself classically, Cooper is incredible in the magnificent 'Maestro' from the bicycle pedalling Amblin Entertainment, now streaming on Netflix for your Academy consideration service. 'The Place Beyond The Pines' and 'Limitless' star's love letter (co-written with Josh Singer) to the late, great Leonard Bernstein is a thing of boundless beauty. Forget what hacks have said about the prosthetic nose (the aging is amazing), this portrayal of the beloved Lenny, who refused to alter his last name to bridge the gap from behind the scenes, to stage conduction, is one of legend, for a legend, as Cooper continues his legacy. Underrated on his own 'A Star Is Born' movie thanks to the Streisand show stealing power of a singer and actress going Gaga, people forget how Bradley proved he could play guitar, write his own hit songs and let it all rip on the live circuit, actually touring around the world to film the anything but staged concert scenes. Hand him a conductor's wand here, and he'll give you even more magic, Harry. One particular performance, which you can see on the sweaty strands of hair on the Best Picture contender (surely, let the awards come) poster, is so iconic it will go down in movie lore. And that's after the more intimate scenes of inspired beauty (and at some times, relationship brutality) of the muse behind the maestro's madness of talent, that even features Snoopy, as Bradley bowls all us Charlie Brown's over with a fastball. It's a cinematic dream like an R.E.M. reference that feels more than fine.

As Hollywood as they come in 'Blonde' first-half black and white like 'The Artist' that he is, Cooper's direction gives us the greatest show, man. Staging it all, one minute he's a young Hollywood heartthrob, like when he first came out, just hanging out over a piano with a cigarette. The next, he's a Broadway showstopping sailor, whose tapping could even make Channing Tatum cry 'Hail Caesar' like there really were, 'No Dames'. Headphones on, the first half of this period piece in the 1940s feels like old Hollywood to the land. Bringing outstanding orchestration and big brass to a character's walk off the bus, that makes us feel like we are on the stardom path to a true great of this generation. We really are with the 'Promising Young Woman' of Carey Mulligan. Of course, 'The Great Gatsby', 'Wildlife' and 'Shame' star has already given us an education in acting. But here, with real 'Drive', the 'Never Let Me Go', 'Inside Llewyn Davis' and 'Mudbound' best actress of our time, continues her reign after 'She Said', playing Felicia Montealegre with absolutely everything she has to bear. Especially when there's an incredible walking moment of juxtaposition in concert, all the way back to the hotel room with the slippers left outside the door. Yet, think of a number, and back-to-back, Cooper gives us the same chemistry with Carey that he did with the one and only Lady. No one else can come close, but even Sam Elliott got an Oscar. And a scene-stealing Matt Bomer makes his case here, alongside 'Stranger Things' star Maya Hawke (whose pops Ethan played with Netflix last week to 'Leave The World Behind') and comedian Sarah Silverman, who is showing she is a serious acting talent. Spielberg and Scrosese have even got behind this project, because Bradley is a true 'Maestro'. Take a bow! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'A Star Is Born', 'Tár', 'Blonde'.