I was lucky to see Maestro in the theater before it dropped on Netflix. I've been fascinated by Lenny for decades for the reasons given and implied by the film (and as you discussed). When I was a senior in high school, I remember feeling shocked about his death because he seemed like he'd live forever, chain smoking notwithstanding. Mass premiered in 1971 as an inaugural work for the Kennedy Center, with none other than Jacqueline Kennedy commissioning it. Bernstein was friends with the Kennedys, and conducted both of the Mahler pieces heard in Maestro at the funeral of Robert (the Mahler 5 Adagio at the end of the B&W section) and for a telecast tribute to John (the ending of Mahler 2, also known as the "Resurrection Symphony"). Nixon chose not to attend, possibly because of the Kennedy connection, but definitely because he'd heard rumblings about potential "subversion" contained in Mass (there's tape of him talking about it with HR Haldeman). Of course, Bernstein had the honor of being on Nixon's"enemies list," and had been under FBI surveillance for his activism since basically the beginning of his career. Cooper did take a few liberties with the mid-1970s sequence. The Mahler 2 performance at Ely Cathedral was recorded in 1973 or 1974 (and can be found on KZfaq), Lenny and Felicia separated in 1976, when he moved with Tommy Cothran to California (and did indeed grow out a beard that lasted just a few months). Lenny and Felicia reconciled a year later, but she unfortunately died in 1978. Of course, he felt enormous guilt that haunted him for the remaining 12 years of his life. Still, using the "Resurrection" performance as a catalyst for their reconciliation seemed appropriate symbolically. I definitely agree about the focus on his personal life, and not the creative process. It wouldn't have been bad, but how the film turned out was way more interesting. However, I do wish that the movie had included the Black Panthers fundraiser that Felicia held in 1970. That gave rise to the term "radical chic," from the title of Tom Wolfe's vicious article that made the fundraiser sound like a "slumming" party. Cooper actually considered including it initially, but decided not to. There are also some clips of Cooper being interviewed with Bernstein's children. They openly acknowledge their father's complexity, as well as the love their parents had for each other, and were actively consulted by Cooper for accuracy. Anyway, Bernstein was endlessly fascinating, and it was great to see how Bradley Cooper and everyone else involved finally brought just enough of his story to life (although some have argued quite convincingly it's at least as much about Felicia as about Lenny). I couldn't shake it for a few weeks after viewing. Pity it didn't win more awards, but it doesn't need that kind of validation anyway.

Great vid I like when people bring their own subject matter knowledge to a movie about a specific subject

I would love a DVD on this film I read a little about Lenny B when he passed on loved his musicals anyway!

If you decide to dive into Lenny’s orchestral work, he made 200 recordings with the NY Philharmonic alone. Also a huge bunch with the Vienna Philharmonic and others.

Dear OL: I loved your video and your reactions to the film were spot-on. Your wrap-up too was spot-on. This is a film about a complex man in a complex relationship. I'm glad it showcases Felicia Montealegre's life and achievements; I'd known nothing about her, but here she does get recognition as an artist and as the main support behind LB's career. I wish I could get a resume of her Bway and TV roles. Thanks OLR!

Just to follow up on your first questions about the limited release and wondering if they didn't believe in it, many awards require a theatrical release to qualify. In the case of the Oscars, a film has to have a theatrical release in at least one of 6 qualifying metro areas, New York being one of them. It also needs to have a run of at least 7 consecutive days in the same theatre to qualify, so I think that's likely why they did it the way they did. Love the reactions.

The drunk friends r Adolph Green and Betty Comden. Friends of Bernstein. Wrote many shows together

Very interesting take, I do think movies don’t have to answer all questions, or be all things all at once. It just is.

It's just Netflix's release strategy unless there is a huge demand because their priority is watchtime on their site and now ticket sales

Oh Lenny B, so damn hot this guy!! Felicia, you had competition dearie!! God, he was fancied by both sexes are you surprised what with his good looks back in the day, he knew it as well. ❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

Hi there

Can you please react to the 1999 movie Stigmata, Starring Patricia Arquette Oscar winner Please ❤😊❤

You speak too fast - I gave up trying to listen - but I did love this movie. Not sure if you do - you speak too fast for me to stay with this video.