Sure, “Maestro” got glowing enough reviews out of the Venice Film Festival, but admiration for Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic was even more passionate at the New York Film Festival. That was helped by the fact that Cooper could finally attend the premiere (he did not appear in Venice) at David Geffen Hall, where Leonard Bernstein conducted many a New York Philharmonic performance back when it was known as Avery Fisher Hall.
The Netflix release, in theaters November 22 before streaming on December 20, is now well-positioned in the Oscar race, with post-NYFF-premiere kudos for Cooper and co-star Carey Mulligan, who plays his wife, Felicia Montealegre. A crowd of tastemakers raved about the well-crafted drama over canapes at Netflix’s after-party at the posh Polo Bar, Ralph Lauren’s basement restaurant, and strong word of mouth on social media from public audiences will carry the film far.
In the latest episode of “Screen Talk,” we discuss the reception for “Maestro,” catch up on all things New York Film Festival (including the opening night screening of “May December” amid a torrential downpour on New York City), and debate new releases including Kitty Green’s “The Royal Hotel,” Garth Davis’ “Foe,” and Rebecca Miller’s “She Came to Me.”
Watch the full episode above or listen to it below.
Screen Talk is produced by Azwan Badruzaman and available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify, and hosted by Megaphone. Browse previous episodes here, subscribe here, and be sure to let us know if you’d like to hear the hosts address specific issues in upcoming editions of Screen Talk.