Netflix has unveiled first look photos of Cooper’s dramatic transformation as Bernstein—sparking praise and criticism online.
Bradley Cooper’s transformation to portray legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein in the film Maestro has sparked praise online—and criticism from those who believe a Jewish man should have been cast in the role. Streaming giant Netflix, which will be releasing the movie, shared first look photos on Twitter on Monday of Cooper as Bernstein, showing the actor looking unrecognizable thanks to the help of makeup to make him appear significantly older. Cooper, who is also directing the project, also appeared to have slightly darker skin in the images, while one feature that stood out was the prosthetic nose he was pictured sporting in a bid to further resemble Bernstein. While there was much praise on Twitter for Cooper’s transformation for the film, which started shooting earlier in May, many others asked why the role could not have been given to a Jewish actor, given Bernstein’s own background. Responding to Netflix’s photos, which also showed Carey Mulligan in character as Bernstein’s wife, Felicia Montealegre, Daniel Fienberg, who serves as Chief Television Critic for The Hollywood Reporter, accused the stars of «ethnic cosplay.
