Yawn

 

"Maestro" is one of those Netflix movies that first opens in theaters for a few weeks and then shows up on the home stream.   My recommendation would be, if you choose to see it, viewing it in a theater is best.  No home sound system can provide you with the musical sounds that come out of this movie.

That said, my secondary suggestion might be to skip this all together.  This biopic of famed musical "maestro" Leonard Bernstein was obviously a labor of love for Bradley Cooper who wrote, directed, and stars in the film.   The only trouble is that there's not really a story here.   Essentially, it's about Bernstein's marriage to actress Felicia Monteleagre (anybody ever heard of her?).   While Cooper's portrayal seems to be one bordering on a Rich Little-like imitation, Carey Mulligan is more believable and likeable as Felicia.   Perhaps they should have called the movie "Mrs. Maestro."

Other than the superlative music, there is nothing here by way of a story.  Yes, the Bernstein union is rocky mainly because Leonard was bi-sexual.   In reality, who cares how he waves his baton?  If that's the only tension you can ratchet it up, the movie is effectively empty.   You just commute from tender moment to fight to tender moment t0 fight.   In reality, it's all none of our business and we easily could have gone on in life without knowing any of this information.

But, again...the music.   The sound of this movie is glorious.  Maybe you should just go out and buy the sound track album.

Hmm?  Can you still do that?

LEN'S RATING:  Two stars.

Dinner last night:  Salisbury steak.