Leonard Bernstein’s Children Stand Up for Bradley Cooper’s Prosthetic Nose Amidst ‘Maestro’ Backlash

Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in the trailer for the upcoming biopic “Maestro” has faced criticism for alleged antisemitism. However, Bernstein’s children have come to Cooper’s defense, expressing their support for his commitment and passion in bringing their father’s story to life.

Cooper, who is not Jewish, uses a prosthetic nose to transform into Bernstein, a role he also directs. The teaser trailer for “Maestro” showcases Cooper’s makeup and performance as the renowned composer and former music director of the New York Philharmonic.

Critics argue that Cooper’s prosthetic nose perpetuates the historical stereotype of Jewish characters in films. The organization Stop Antisemitism condemned the portrayal, describing it as “sickening.”

However, Bernstein’s children, Jamie, Alexander, and Nina Bernstein, released a statement defending Cooper’s artistic choices. They emphasized their appreciation for his dedication and genuine love for their father’s music.

The statement expressed their understanding of Cooper’s use of makeup to enhance the resemblance to Bernstein, stating that their father would have approved of the portrayal. Additionally, they argued against the notion that complaints about the issue were attempts to bring Cooper down by associating it with a pattern of undermining successful individuals, something they witnessed their father endure.

Both Cooper and Netflix, the film’s distributor, declined to comment on the matter.

“Maestro” is scheduled to premiere at the Venice Film Festival and will be released in select theaters by Netflix on November 22. It will be available for streaming on December 20.

The controversy surrounding Cooper’s casting raises broader questions about representation in the entertainment industry. In recent years, debates have emerged concerning the appropriate casting of characters from marginalized groups. Instances such as Emma Stone’s portrayal of a half-Asian character and Tom Hanks’ comments about the casting of gay actors have fueled these discussions.

While the focus has primarily been on ethnic and LGBTQ+ communities, some argue that the same scrutiny should extend to Jewish characters. Criticisms point out the longstanding negative portrayal of Jewish physical features, such as the stereotypical “Jewish nose.” Author David Baddiel has previously criticized other casting decisions that overlook these considerations.

However, supporters of Cooper argue that transformation is an integral part of acting, and actors have a long history of altering their appearance to better embody the characters they portray. Mark Harris, a Hollywood author and journalist, dismisses the controversy, asserting that actors will continue to adopt such techniques.

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Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP

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