Bradley Cooper has found himself at the center of a heated debate surrounding his upcoming film “Maestro” – a biopic about the life of renowned composer Leonard Bernstein. The teaser trailer, released by Netflix, showcases Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein, complete with a large prosthetic nose. This choice has reignited the discussion about the use of “Jewface” in Hollywood, with critics arguing that Cooper’s decision to wear the prosthetic nose perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Described as a “fearless love story,” “Maestro” follows the complex relationship between Bernstein, played by Cooper, and his wife Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, portrayed by Carey Mulligan. The film is directed by Cooper himself, who comes from an Irish-Italian background and was raised as a Catholic. This production, produced by Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, secured the rights over Jewish actor Jake Gyllenhaal, igniting additional controversy and scrutiny.
The use of a prosthetic nose in Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein has sparked outrage among Jewish actors, with some equating it to the offensive practices of blackface or yellowface. Tracy-Ann Oberman, a Jewish actress known for her role in “Doctor Who,” argues that if Cooper can play the Elephant Man without prosthetics, he should be able to play a Jewish character without altering his appearance. She sees the prosthetic nose as a perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.
On the other hand, Jewish “West Wing” star Joshua Malina disagrees, stating that he does not take issue with Cooper’s portrayal. Malina emphasizes that the distinctive nose was a characteristic of Leonard Bernstein himself, not simply a generalization of Jewish individuals. He believes that Cooper’s prosthetic use is not comparable to blackface or yellowface, as it accurately represents a specific individual’s physical features.
With Irish actor Cillian Murphy set to compete against Bradley Cooper in the upcoming Oscar race for his portrayal of Jewish scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer in “Oppenheimer,” the discussion surrounding actors representing characters of different backgrounds remains highly relevant. Oberman argues that Murphy can effectively convey Oppenheimer’s story and Jewish identity without the use of prosthetics, similar to Tom Conti’s portrayal of Einstein. This raises questions about the expectation for actors to physically alter themselves to match a character’s appearance.
While the use of prosthetics continues to be a contentious topic in Hollywood, it is important to remember the power of storytelling and the choices made by filmmakers and actors. Cooper co-wrote the script for “Maestro,” and worked closely with Bernstein’s children to bring their father’s story to life. The film will explore Bernstein’s complex marriage to Felicia Montealegre and his numerous affairs with men.
In their correspondence, Montealegre acknowledged Bernstein’s homosexuality and expressed her acceptance of him, emphasizing the challenges he faced in reconciling his personal life with societal expectations. Cooper’s portrayal aims to capture the multi-faceted nature of Bernstein’s life and relationships.
“Maestro” marks Bradley Cooper’s second directorial effort after the critically acclaimed “A Star is Born.” The latter received numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and a win for Best Original Song. Anticipation is high for Cooper’s latest project, and the inclusion of prosthetics may contribute to the film’s awards buzz.
The film is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, followed by a theatrical release in November. Additionally, “Maestro” will be available for streaming on Netflix starting from December 20.
Bradley Cooper’s decision to use prosthetics in his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein has sparked a renewed debate surrounding the portrayal of Jewish characters in Hollywood. While some argue that the use of prosthetics perpetuates harmful stereotypes, others contend that it accurately represents a specific individual’s physical features. The conversation underscores the ongoing struggle to balance artistic choices with sensitivity and representation in the film industry. As “Maestro” prepares for its release, audiences will have the opportunity to judge the film and its portrayal on their own terms.
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