Bradley Cooper, the versatile actor known for his roles in films like “A Star is Born” and “American Sniper,” has found himself at the center of a growing controversy following the release of the trailer for his upcoming movie, “Maestro.” The film, which Cooper has not only acted in but also co-written, produced, and directed, tells the story of the legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.
The focal point of the controversy is Cooper’s appearance in the film, particularly the prosthetic nose he appears to be wearing. The prosthetic nose has raised concerns among some who believe that it may be perpetuating offensive stereotypes related to the Jewish community. Cooper, who is not of Jewish background, is being accused of engaging in a practice known as “Jewface,” where non-Jewish actors exaggerate their features to mimic harmful caricatures.
Leonard Bernstein, a prominent figure in the music world, was born to Jewish-Ukrainian immigrants in the United States. The concern arises from the potential insensitivity of Cooper’s use of a prosthetic nose to resemble a Jewish figure, a practice that has been historically offensive and associated with antisemitic portrayals.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an international Jewish organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, issued a statement in response to the controversy. The ADL acknowledged the history of harmful caricatures in media but emphasized that “Maestro” is not perpetuating those stereotypes. They clarified that the film is a biopic centered on Bernstein’s life and work and is not intended to perpetuate offensive narratives.
The ADL statement read, “This film, which is a biopic on the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, is not that.” Their position aims to distinguish between historical stereotypes and the context of Cooper’s film.
Support for Cooper’s portrayal has also come from an unexpected source – Bernstein’s own children. In a statement, Jamie, Alexander, and Nina Bernstein expressed their support for Cooper’s efforts. They noted that Cooper’s intention was to accurately capture Bernstein’s likeness and that their father would have been accepting of the approach.
“We are saddened to witness any misinterpretations or misconceptions regarding [Cooper’s] intentions. Bradley opted to utilize makeup to enhance his likeness, and we wholeheartedly support that decision. Moreover, we are confident that our father would have also endorsed this approach,” the statement conveyed.
The highly anticipated film “Maestro” is scheduled for its debut on September 2 at the Venice Film Festival. Following its limited theatrical release in late November, the film will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 20. As discussions about the film continue, it raises broader questions about the line between artistic representation and sensitivity to the potential harm caused by certain portrayals.
