Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso Bradley Cooper as ‘Maestro’ from The New Yorker Radio Hour
Dec 24, 2023
Bradley Cooper and David Remnick discuss Cooper's new film Maestro, his fascination with music, and his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein. They also talk about conducting, preparing for scenes, and Cooper's transition from actor to director.
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Childhood Baton Sparked A Lifelong Obsession
- Bradley Cooper's obsession with conducting began as a child after watching cartoons and listening to records, and he asked Santa for a baton.
- That childhood totem stayed with him through college and informed his decision to pursue Bernstein decades later.
Spielberg's Nudge Started The Project
- Steven Spielberg asked Cooper to read an existing script and suggested he play Bernstein, which prompted Cooper to pursue his own version.
- Cooper then sought Bernstein's children's trust before developing a script he actually believed in.
Form Over Full Biopic Narrative
- Cooper avoided a straight biopic and used Bernstein's music and visual choices to convey legacy instead of exhaustive plot.
- He framed the film visually (1.33 aspect ratio) to reflect Bernstein's physical conducting and emotional reach.