a beautiful, beautiful film
in every way
it will bring you
great music
great joy
great love
great passion
and
will break your heart.
early in the film
felicia, later to be leonard bernstein’s wife
asks him –
“you don’t even know how much you need me, do you?”
and he answers –
“i might.”
through all they endured
together and apart
around the globe and back
they found
the greatest love of their lives
in each other.
brava.
—
“a work of art does not answer questions, it provokes them;
and its essential meaning is in the tension between the contradictory answers.”
-leonard bernstein
—
image/film credits: netflix, lea pictures, sikelis productions, amblin entertainment, fred berner films
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I have only seen trailers of the film, but it looks completely convincing.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’d have to agree that it is –
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I liked the movie, but maybe not as much as you did, and I really liked Carey Mulligan as Felicia.
My daughter’s voice teacher had been an opera singer in NYC and knew Bernstein. When we first knew the teacher, he had a long-time male partner, who became his husband, but when he knew Lenny, he had a wife, and they had a son. He always remained close with his former wife.
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she was amazing in this. how amazing, your personal connection, he seemed to be a whirlwind of brilliance and uncertainty.
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I used to love those children’s concerts he did.
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he was always involved in so many projects
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For many great Maestro’s their personal journeys are complicated and unique
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and his was no exception, he lived life fully, but not always easily
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I don’t think I could handle the demands of their eccentric and unique lifestyles Beth
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It would have been extremely challenging to say the least
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This movie is on my “to see” list, and you’ve firmed its place on the list. And that’s a fantastic quote by Bernstein. Some tasty food for thought :)
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I hope you enjoy it as I did. He was both brilliant and struggling
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They certainly led a rollercoaster life, and Bradley Cooper captured its ups and downs for sure, Beth.
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Yes, not an easy journey
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Glad you loved it!
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so good
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No wonder it’s an Oscar Nominee
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yes –
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I loved this film till I didn’t. It was beautifully directed and well acted. Sorry I couldn’t get past the male character’s innate selfishness and the female character’s delusion then discovery that she couldn’t change that about him. But maybe I bought into her fairy tale and my heart hurt when hers broke. In the end, the trope of a woman giving a “genius” her all, only to be broken by him was too common a story.
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yes, it was certainly not easy, and he was far from an easy person to be around, let alone live with. yes, there was a great sadness to it all, and yet, I found it stunning. people are very imperfect, some more than others.
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Except for you and me. We are perfect. Haha.
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well, there you go)
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I haven’t seen this movie but I’ll look for it.
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I hope you enjoy it
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If I find it!
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it’s on netflix if you have access to that –
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Oh thanks. I’ll try that. 🙏🏼🩷❤️
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It was a wonderful film and Carey Mulligan is fantastic. Bradley ain’t to bad, either. Mind you, I’m surprised I didn’t start coughing watching it. Good gawd, how many cigarettes did they have?
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yes, she was brilliant and. his conducting was wow! yes, a lot, lot, lot of cigs –
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She’s brilliant in everything she does. Have you seen Promising Young Woman?
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that! wowza!
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Yes!!
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Bradley Cooper? I know enough…
This sounds soooo romantic. I will keep the movie in mind. Thanks for the review, Beth!
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romance is part of it, but it’s much bigger than that
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You made me curious!
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I‘ve seen it, and being a musician and singer, plus knowing many musicians and singers (professional not just ‚I like to sing/play‘ ppl as I am) I really fevered along, coughed along and suffered along. Absolutely mind-blowing acting, loved especially Carey M AND Bradley‘s conducting mastery….. To me it was a MUST and I‘m sure I‘d watch it again anytime – also beautifully filmed and reality-close told. A treasure for sure.
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you also chose the same highlights – I thought its was brilliant and good to hear this from you, a musician
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I started this movie but couldn’t get into it. I really wanted to see the story. I found the acting a little over the top. But then again, I was looking for realism. I may have to try it again and look at it as an artistic piece.
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not all of it is easy, he seemed to be such a larger than life person, and that was clear, and think that’s what it was trying to convey
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I remember going on a hayride with him when I was in seventh grade. As I remember, he was friendly, but aloof.
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that sounds about right, he seemed to have love having people around him, but also struggled
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very enjoyable, Beth
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Glad you enjoyed it so much.
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thanks
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I loved the description until I read “break your heart.” I have to try not to cry just watching the evening news anymore.
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break your heart in not a totally bad way
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👍
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Judi, breaks your heart in a rather good way – it‘s not war, crime, punishment, ‚just‘ a hugely talented and quite controversial man with a wonderful wife…. Said enough!
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yes, Kiki, exactly
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What a recommendation. I’ll be sure to watch it
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I can see you loving this, Peter, you understand that nothing is only black or white, so well
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Thank you for this, Beth. We’ve passed by Maestro a few times and now I know we’ll need to watch.
xo! 🥰
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I hope your enjoy it
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🥰🥰🥰
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A good movie, indeed!
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yes –
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I have been wanting to watch it. Sounds interesting.
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oh, I hope you do have the chance –
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I must put that on my to be watched list.
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great –
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Bradley Cooper deserves three Oscars: writing, directing and acting. I’m glad I watched this movie. Thank you.
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I couldn’t agree more
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I concur with Mr. Bernstein, but have not seen the movie…
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I think you would really like it Fransisco, being a passionate artist yourself
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Will certainly look for it. Thank you Beth.
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Agree!!
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<3
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I’m planning to watch it this week.
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I hope that you enjoy it –
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Thank you.
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I’ll have to search for this, Beth.
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it’s on Netflix currently
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I want to see this
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I think you would love it, but it is an emotional roller coaster, be ready –
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wow ! you’ve convinced me, Beth: I was wavering on this one but you’ve convinced me !
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let me know what you think, I hope you enjoy it
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Hmmmm wasn’t going to watch it, but will rethink it for sure.
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it’s not all easy, complicated lives, as we all have in some degree or another, but brilliant nonetheless
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Gigi, I feel you‘d like it, at least. As Beth said, all of it , plus some truly outstanding acting
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Oh my, what a terrific and beautifully written movie review. Thank you!
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I am experiencing moments of unhappiness now, because the Regal Cinema that was 15 minutes away tried but failed to make a comeback after the pandemic and closed. The next closest theatre is close to 45 minutes away (happens when one lives in an area of small boroughs and townships). Sounds like a truly wonderful film and I’m jealous!
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It is on Netflix now if you have that) sad about the cinema I think that’s happening all over
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They don’t make films like this any more!
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It’s new!
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Makes me want to see the film.
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it’s quite good and he’s a complicated man, but brilliant nonetheless
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thank you –
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On a sunny morning, my sister and I went to a very beautiful place where there were lots of views. After seeing the view, my sister and I felt bored. in the end I was recommended to see the content on this blog to entertain me.
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