Leonard Bernstein's Children Respond to Criticism of Bradley Cooper's Prosthetic Nose in 'Maestro'

Commenters online criticize Bradley Cooper's makeup in the trailer for "Maestro" for playing on antisemitic stereotypes. Bernstein's children defend Cooper's portrayal.

Commenters on the internet expressed their concerns about Bradley Cooper's makeup in the film "Maestro," claiming that it perpetuates antisemitic stereotypes. After the release of the film's trailer on Tuesday, viewers shared side-by-side images of the real Leonard Bernstein and Cooper in makeup, particularly focusing on the exaggeratedly large prosthetic nose worn by Cooper.

Leonard Bernstein, a renowned musician born in Lawrence in 1918 and raised in Boston, holds a significant place in American history. He was highly acclaimed for his contributions to musicals such as "West Side Story" and "On the Town," as well as his compositions for films and ballets.

In response to the controversy surrounding Cooper's appearance, Bernstein's three children took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to defend the actor. They released a detailed statement, expressing their belief that any alterations made to Cooper's appearance were solely intended to enhance his resemblance to their father, the celebrated artist.

Jamie, Alexander, and Nina Bernstein emphasized that Cooper, who is not Jewish, involved them in every step of the filmmaking process. They expressed their disappointment in witnessing misinterpretations and misunderstandings of Cooper's efforts, stating that it is true that Leonard Bernstein had a distinctive nose, and Cooper's use of makeup was intended to amplify that resemblance. They further asserted their certainty that their father would have been accepting of this portrayal.

The Anti-Defamation League, in a statement to the Globe, appeared to downplay the criticism, acknowledging the historical portrayal of Jews in antisemitic films and propaganda as evil caricatures with large, hooked noses. However, they made it clear that "Maestro," being a biopic on the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, does not fall into that category.

While it is not uncommon for non-Jewish actors to portray Jewish characters in films and TV, the "Maestro" controversy arises in a time of heightened sensitivity towards culture, race, and representation in casting decisions. Similar concerns were raised last year when it was announced that Helen Mirren, an Oscar winner, would portray former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in Guy Nattiv's "Golda," set to premiere in US theaters on August 25.

In an interview with the Jewish Chronicle, actor Maureen Lipman expressed her disagreement with Mirren's casting, emphasizing the importance of the character's Jewish identity. She compared the casting decision to the hypothetical scenario of Ben Kingsley playing Nelson Mandela, highlighting the need for authenticity in such portrayals.

"Maestro," a film directed and co-written by Bradley Cooper alongside Josh Singer, is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 22 and will be available on Netflix starting December 20, according to Variety.

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