As a music lover of all sorts I was very excited by the recent netflix offerings “American Symphony” and “Maestro.” Both feature fascinating musicians who could produce several complete evenings of entertaining music, but the stories of the people themselves were lacking. A shaky iphone camera recording these men in action would have been much more enjoyable.
Since seeing his performance last summer at Newport Jazz festival I’ve been completely in awe of Jon Batiste, the subject of ‘American Symphony’ a documentary about him, his marriage and his composition of the same name.
For most of my adult life I’ve been vaguely aware of ‘Maestro’ Leonard Bernstein, famous for his broadway productions, but also a conductor- tuxedo cred to backup the broadway fame.
No doubt both men have fascinating stories, but unfortunately these movies fail to capture it. Maestro is made in a grand typical hollywood style, but in shooting between a biopic and a tragic hero drama, the movie misses the mark completely. In revering Leonard Bernstein a bit too much it lacks enough detail to inform those who do not know his history, while keeping enough distance to make him an emotionally gripping character. Bernstein’s wife, superbly portrayed by Carey Mulligan, is the vehicle for dramatic tension, yet she is but a side dish. Perhaps more of a focus on the character would’ve made a better movie.
The plot exposition comes quick, and its likely the producers felt revealing the luridness of such an upper crust figure would be enough to tittilate. Bernstein is shaken out of bed by a phone call informing him he’ll be needed to conduct the NY philharmonic that night, due to sickness. He jumps out of bed, slapping the buttocks of the man he was sharing that bed with. His conducting performance was a smashing success, per the small circle of people who’s opinion decide these things. His social extravagance soon becomes revealed at the party where he meets his future wife, Felicia Montealegre.
Early on, Bernstein is faced with a decision- take on the challenge to dedicate himself to being the ‘first great American conductor,’ or pursue his passion of producing popular music for the broadway stage. Felicia, validates him, with the substance of that “why not both” gif, and the action unfurls- a montage that salutes his resume, displays his open pansexuality and her permissiveness. His other lovers are not really developed as characters. The climax, if you could call it that, comes when Felicia travels to watch Lenny conduct Mahler’s 2nd (“the ressurection symphony,” an interesting detail you’d really have to be in the know about to connect to the story). Felicia declares at the end of this performance that Lenny ‘doesn’t have any hate in his heart,’ which is true, he’s just completely self absorbed.
Where Maestro delves in too far to display a character that seems hard to love, American Symphony doesn’t need to try hard to show you a man who seems amazingly easy to love. It’s modern production is seemingly a lot of cellphone footage taped together. It doesn’t have much of an arc passed the drama you might already know. Jon Batiste is catapulting towards stardom, just when his wife, Suleika Jaouad, suffers a recurrence of cancer symptoms. She needs to get more treatment, just as he’s poised to go win some grammys. If there is ever a question as to why he might not be around while she’s getting cancer treatment, the film makes clear that their shared love of creation as means for escape binds their souls though they are apart. Backdrop a montage of his history and development as a musician, conclude with the developing his work “American Symphony,” it’s COVID delays and it’s eventual Carnegie Hall premiere. There might be more to this story but, well, it hasn’t happened yet. It doesn’t have the ending that, Maestro, in generic hollywood film style glimpses as a beginning.
One film might be 20 years too late, while the other is too early. They both deal with fine musicians but their ego’s are as night and day as their skin tones. They have to deal with the health issues of the women who love them, and this dealing with is exactly what shows how they are different. Do yourself a favor and just listen to some of their music now. Be happy Batiste is touring and spend your time on that instead…