Following the backlash that Bradley Cooper received for using a prosthetic nose to portray Leonard Bernstein, the composer's family has defended the actor.
The Netflix biographical film, Maestro, aims to chronicle the life of acclaimed composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.
Portrayed by Cooper, the narrative centers around Bernstein's tumultuous 25-year marriage with actor Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, played by Carey Mulligan.
The movie teaser, unveiled on August 15, has generated both acclaim and a storm of controversy, with social media platforms buzzing not just about the film itself, but about Cooper's prosthetic nose.
Many people have expressed concerns over the concept of "Jewface," a term used to criticize the misrepresentation or inauthentic depiction of Jewish individuals.
Bernstein's family has since come to the defense of Cooper, posting a lengthy statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Bernstein's children, Jamie, Alexander, and Nina, said in the statement: "Bradley Cooper included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our 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."
Touching on the backlash that Cooper has received, the family went on: "It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts. It happens to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a nice, big nose."
The statement clarified that the family is "perfectly fine" with the actor making steps to resemble the great composer, and further added that they believe Bernstein himself would be happy with it.
The family went on: "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.
"At all times during the making of this film, we could feel the profound respect and yes, the love that Bradley brought to his portrait of Leonard Bernstein and his wife, our mother Felicia. We feel so fortunate to have had this experience with Bradley, and we can't wait for the world to see his creation."
Watch the trailer for the movie below:Before the statement was issued, The Media Diversity Institute delved into the origins of the "hooked nose" stereotype and its association with a stereotypical "Jewish" appearance.
The organization underscored that this stereotype traces back to antisemitic and Nazi propaganda from the 1930s, emphasizing that it continues to reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Critics argue that for the creators of Maestro to utilize a historically harmful trope is deeply troubling, particularly in the context of a character as significant as Bernstein. Questions arose about the casting choices, with Twitter users raising concerns about the need for authenticity and sensitivity.
One user queried: "Bradley Cooper is putting himself in an insanely large prosthetic nose to play a Jewish man in 'Maestro,' and we're all just supposed to act like that's cool and normal?"
Maestro is slated for its Netflix premiere on December 20.
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