Skip to main content

Maestro (2023)

 


Maestro is a love story about a composter and conductor who falls in love with an actress.

I have to talk about something that I wouldn't normally talk about first. The makeup department should be nominated for an Oscar as I couldn't tell that was Bradley Cooper until I really heard his typical voice come out. Cooper sometimes has a hard time hiding that charm. Written and directed by Cooper, I wish the film would have really had a better marketing plan and a theatrical release as this being a Netflix movie actually limits it and I doubt most people will watch this.

I have a bias toward Carey Mulligan positively so I'll keep my notes on her brief. While I imagine she'll be nominated for an Oscar for the film I found certain parts of her performance to be trying too hard.

The delivery of the dialogue is given way too fast in the first scene between Cooper and Mulligan to establish that these two are our leads. They also talk over each other like this is an Aaron Sorkin film which at some point it felt like it was trying to be. There is some great writing in how the film plays out though. It hits on cultural topics that are very important for 2023.

I wouldn't want to watch the film again but the performance by Cooper is great. I'd recommend this for only some people as I feel most people would be bored to tears or just not turn it on in the first place. Result: B+

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psycho Killer (2026)

Psycho Killer (2026) is a religious-tinged detective thriller that leans far more into procedural tension than outright horror. Directed by Gavin Polone , who is better known as a producer than a filmmaker, the movie benefits heavily from its screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker , the writer behind Se7en . His fingerprints are all over this. The writing is sharp, layered with foreshadowing that only fully clicks at the end, and structured in a way that constantly feels like it is building toward something inevitable. The gorgeous  Georgina Campbell plays the detective tracking down the titular killer, and she carries the film with confidence. You'll remember her from Barbarian and recently Cold Storage.  The script gives her plenty of emotional range to explore, from controlled professionalism to visible cracks under pressure. She handles the lore-heavy exposition well and grounds what could have been overwhelming backstory. It is another strong showing for her and proof she c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cold Storage (2026)

Cold Storage (2026) is a sci fi horror thriller that surprised me in a good way. The writing is solid enough that it actually calmed some of my worries about Disclosure Day coming later this year since the same writer is involved. The story holds together and stays engaging, even when the visuals do not. The CG is laughably bad at times, but the acting/chemistry keeps the movie watchable. Jonny Campbell directs, with the screenplay by David Koepp , known for Jurassic Park and Spider-Man . His writing here is tighter than expected, which is why it gives me more confidence about Disclosure Day. The direction is straightforward and lets the script do most of the work, even if the effects budget clearly limits what can be shown on screen. He needs a redemption after  Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Joe Keery , known for Stranger Things and Free Guy , is the main reason I showed up. He proves he can handle a leading role after Stranger Things and carries the film with a relax...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crime 101 (2026)

Crime 101 (2026) is a crime thriller that checks the basic boxes of what should work, but the writing never tightens enough to make it compelling. It hits familiar beats, runs longer than it should, and never quite earns its tension. It feels like a good movie outline stretched into a full runtime. Bart Layton , known for American Animals and The Imposter , directs, and his uneven filmography shows here. The structure is serviceable, but the pacing drags and the scenes lack urgency. The direction is competent without being memorable, and the film never finds a sharp identity. Chris Hemsworth , known for Thor and Extraction , plays the reclusive criminal at the center of the story. He tries to lean into a quieter, more internal performance, but he does not fully sell the damaged foster child mentality the script is aiming for. The performance feels like an attempt rather than a transformation. Mark Ruffalo , recognized for Spotlight and The Avengers , feels like he is on autopilo...
Post a Comment
Read more