Leonard Bernstein was one of the best conductors in the world and famous American composer and Bradley Cooper, who also wrote a script and directed the film, did a great job portraying him. Still, he could have shown more of his great talent. Instead, he concentrated on his bi-sexualism and family quarrels.
Also, his strong connection to his Judaism and to Israel where he often performed was totally missing. Well, considering the anti-Israeli views of Bradley Cooper I'm somewhat not surprised about it. While I totally don't care about personal views of actors he, on his part should not project his personal views to the film. As a result, his Leonard Bernstein, despite his good acting, turned out to be two dimensional: a difficult person, gay, bi-sexual who also happened to be a good conductor and composer.
Carey Mulligan was also wonderful. I will forever remember her from the difficult to watch but nevertheless powerful film Never Let Me Go. I was shaken to the depth of my soul and still getting goose bumps remembering her acting and especially her eyes expression from that film. She is a great actress, indeed.
As for the film making itself, I liked the idea to shot first part of the film in black and white, as the older history, and then switching to color showing more recent history. This method is not new, but it was a good idea to apply it there.
In summary, the film could be much better if Bradley Cooper, as a script writer, could put his personal views aside and show Bernstein's biography in more complete form, without complete ignoring some parts of it and also more concentrated on his great talent (he once directed the orchestra just by the mimics of his face).
Also, his strong connection to his Judaism and to Israel where he often performed was totally missing. Well, considering the anti-Israeli views of Bradley Cooper I'm somewhat not surprised about it. While I totally don't care about personal views of actors he, on his part should not project his personal views to the film. As a result, his Leonard Bernstein, despite his good acting, turned out to be two dimensional: a difficult person, gay, bi-sexual who also happened to be a good conductor and composer.
Carey Mulligan was also wonderful. I will forever remember her from the difficult to watch but nevertheless powerful film Never Let Me Go. I was shaken to the depth of my soul and still getting goose bumps remembering her acting and especially her eyes expression from that film. She is a great actress, indeed.
As for the film making itself, I liked the idea to shot first part of the film in black and white, as the older history, and then switching to color showing more recent history. This method is not new, but it was a good idea to apply it there.
In summary, the film could be much better if Bradley Cooper, as a script writer, could put his personal views aside and show Bernstein's biography in more complete form, without complete ignoring some parts of it and also more concentrated on his great talent (he once directed the orchestra just by the mimics of his face).