Current:Home > NewsLeonard Bernstein's family defends appearance in "Maestro" nose flap -Edge Finance Strategies
Leonard Bernstein's family defends appearance in "Maestro" nose flap
View
Date:2025-04-18 10:54:00
The new biopic Maestro centers on the relationship between the famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. But all some people are focused on is the prosthetic nose worn by lead actor Bradley Cooper, who also co-wrote and directed the film.
Ever since the first images from the movie appeared online, some viewers have called it an anti-Semitic caricature of the late Jewish musician, an example of what's known in Hollywood as "Jewface."
"This isn't about making a non-Jewish actor look more like Leonard Bernstein; it's about making a non-Jewish actor look more like a Jewish stereotype," tweeted @jh_swanson.
Another social media user @TamarWrites tweeted, "Let's talk about how prevalent of a trope it still is that Jews have big noses, even though nose diversity runs the gamut among Jews as much as any other group. And here we are... enhancing a schoz prosthetic for no apparent reason, reinforcing the stereotypes."
But Bernstein's adult children say they are "heartbroken" over the criticism. "It happens to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a nice, big nose," Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein tweeted on their father's social media account.
"Bradley chose to use makeup to amplify his resemblance, and we're perfectly fine with that. We're also certain that our dad would have been fine with it as well. Any strident complaints around this issue strike us above all as disingenuous attempts to bring a successful person down a notch — a practice we observed all too often perpetrated on our own father."
The Bernsteins said Cooper included them along every step as he was made the film about their father. "We were touched to the core to witness the depth of his commitment, his loving embrace of our father's music, and the sheer open-hearted joy he brought to his exploration."
Maestro is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the end of this month, it will be in select theaters November 22 and on Netflix on December 20.
The Maestro backlash reignited an ongoing debate about Jewish representation and appropriation.
For instance, Helen Mirren (who is not Jewish) has been slammed for her makeup and prosthetics and for being cast to portray former Israeli prime minister Gold Meir in the upcoming movie Golda. Among other non-Jewish actors who recently played Jewish characters: Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Rachel McAdams as an Orthodox woman in Disobedience.
Last year Steven Spielberg was also criticized when he cast non-Jewish actors Paul Dano and Michelle Williams to play his own parents in his semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans.
veryGood! (37)
Related
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Heavy fighting in Gaza’s second-largest city leaves hundreds of patients stranded in main hospital
- A Republican leader in the Colorado House says he’ll step down after a DUI arrest came to light
- Ford recalls nearly 1.9 million older Explorer SUVs over loose trim pieces that may increase risk of crash
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Daniel Will: Exploring Warren Buffett's Value Investing Philosophy
- Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster Are Fashion Icons at Paris Fashion Week
- Attorney: KC man had 'no knowledge' 3 friends were dead in his backyard after Chiefs game
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Deputies find 5 dead people in a desert community in Southern California
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- 15-year-old to be tried as adult in sexual assault, slaying of girl, 10
- Inflation slows in New Zealand to its lowest rate since 2021
- Knott's Berry Farm jams, jellies no longer available in stores after brand discontinued
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Melissa Gilbert on anti-aging, Modern Prairie and the 'Little House' episode that makes her cry
- Biden vetoes GOP measure that aimed to block White House policy on foreign content in EV chargers
- Five players from 2018 Canada world junior team take leave of absence from their clubs
Recommendation
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Collision of gas truck and car in Mongolian capital kills at least 6 and injures 11
Kia recalls over 100,000 vehicles for roof issue: Here's which models are affected
2024 tax refunds could be larger than last year due to new IRS brackets. Here's what to expect.
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Vermont woman changes plea in killing of her husband
Argentina’s Milei faces general strike at outset of his presidency, testing his resolve
Abbott keeps up border security fight after Supreme Court rules feds' can cut razor wire