The Venice Film Festival has borne witness to the grand unveiling of Netflix’s “Maestro”, spotlighting Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, and the critics have sung their praises.

Standing Ovation for Bernstein’s Tale

Bradley Cooper didn’t just put on the actor’s cap for “Maestro”. He wrote, produced, and directed it, embodying the illustrious composer Leonard Bernstein. The fruits of his labor? A nearly 10-minute standing ovation at Sala Grande during the festival premiere. Clearly, early critics were impressed; the film basks in acclaim.

The narrative dives deep into the life of Bernstein and unfolds the intricacies of his relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, depicted on screen by Carey Mulligan. The movie, as it seems, didn’t just capture the critics; it bewitched the audience. Of the scores on Rotten Tomatoes? A stunning 90%. Breaking it down, 19 of the 21 critics showered it with positive words so far.

Intriguing Controversies Surrounding Maestro

Every film has its share of discussions, and “Maestro” wasn’t an exception. Prosthetics used in the film raised some eyebrows, but Kazu Hiro, the maestro behind the makeup, addressed the topic during the Venice press meet. This discussion merely heightened the movie’s allure.

Even in Cooper’s absence at the premiere – because of the current SAG-AFTRA strike – his presence was felt. The film’s warm reception mirrored the festival’s response to Cooper’s earlier venture, “A Star Is Born”. It’s no surprise that many already eye “Maestro” as a front-runner for the awards season, a sentiment only amplified by its recent reviews.

Who’s Who of Maestro

Beside Cooper and Mulligan, the spotlight shines on Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman. While the script finds its roots in the collaborative efforts of Cooper and Josh Singer, the production baton was shared by cinematic giants: Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. Here’s an intriguing tidbit: Spielberg was initially slated to direct but passed the torch to Cooper post “A Star is Born”.

Gear up to catch “Maestro” in selected theaters on Nov. 22. If you’re more of a homebody, fret not; Netflix has you covered on Dec. 20.