 | I have to admit - I was skeptical about Bradley Cooper's capabilities as a director. I liked "A Star Is Born," but I was unsure if it was a fluke. The reason is that Cooper acted in movies that could have been better in many ways. Yes, they were popular, but they had artistic shortcomings. "Maestro," took me back. And I'm not talking historically to a period that is long forgotten. It took me back to an era of classic Hollywood cinema that was poignant and yet artistic. |
The film's black-and-white sequences are exquisitely beautiful and reminiscent of the classics. My only question is why they were cut short. Why did we see any color footage outside of the framing device? I didn't see the reason embedded in the story. Cooper did not connect the framing device to it either. My only guess would be that the studio was afraid that black-and-white films would not generate more popcorn sales. If so, I'm genuinely sorry that profits only guide contemporary cinema. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not against sales. What I'm saying is that I do not condone the mercantile mentality if it is the only guidelight that drives production. I understand that films are expensive and need to make money, so production companies do not file Chapter 11. However, I oppose the idea that artistic choices should be slaves to banking. I'm digressing.
Back to the film - it took my breath away. I had the feeling of seeing the musical version of Citizen Kane. I know this is a high bar, but I can't help but feel what I feel. It is not that "Maestro" was so groundbreaking that it changed the faces of cinema as we know it (something that Citizen Kane did). It's not the black-and-white footage, either. It was the smile on my face when I watched something beautiful, and my heart pulsated with admiration for the beauty that hit it. I last felt that when I saw Cuaron's or Inaritu's films. "Maestro's" artistic vision of portraying events, combined with flawless acting and directing, renders it one of the few great films of 2023.
4 / 5
Director: Bradley Cooper
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan
Back to the film - it took my breath away. I had the feeling of seeing the musical version of Citizen Kane. I know this is a high bar, but I can't help but feel what I feel. It is not that "Maestro" was so groundbreaking that it changed the faces of cinema as we know it (something that Citizen Kane did). It's not the black-and-white footage, either. It was the smile on my face when I watched something beautiful, and my heart pulsated with admiration for the beauty that hit it. I last felt that when I saw Cuaron's or Inaritu's films. "Maestro's" artistic vision of portraying events, combined with flawless acting and directing, renders it one of the few great films of 2023.
4 / 5
Director: Bradley Cooper
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan
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