Bradley Cooper’s Triumphant Morning: Three Oscar Nominations and a Celebratory Outlook

A Remarkable Achievement: Cooper Joins Elite Company

In the annals of Hollywood’s awards season, February 24, 2023, stands as a day of immense significance for Bradley Cooper. Not only did he join the exclusive company of Christopher Nolan as the only individuals to garner three individual Oscar nominations for the same film, Maestro, but he also became a part of an elite group of actors who have directed themselves into Best Actor nominations twice. This accolade places him alongside legendary figures like Laurence Olivier (who achieved this feat thrice), Clint Eastwood, and Warren Beatty.

A Profound Sense of Joy and Gratitude

Cooper’s remarkable achievement is further amplified by his previous nine Oscar nominations across various categories, including producer, screenwriter, and actor. However, this particular recognition holds a special place in his heart.

“Just first of all, it is the year itself, to be included in a year where there’s just such incredible films,” Cooper expressed in an exclusive phone interview with Deadline’s Pete Hammond. Reflecting on the timing of Maestro’s release, he shared his initial thoughts: “I remember thinking that I knew the movies that were coming out. I thought it would just be amazing if we were ever so lucky to be in a mix with these films, and these performances, so it’s a thrill. And for all the work that everybody put in, for many of us to be acknowledged, you know, Pete, it’s like very surreal.”

Cooper’s joy was further compounded by his three BAFTA nominations last week, including one for Best Director, a category where he did not receive an Oscar nod. Nonetheless, he expressed no disappointment, stating, “I really didn’t know that we were going to get anything today, so the fact that we got seven nominations is incredible.”

The BAFTA recognition held particular significance for Cooper, as he remarked, “That really meant a lot to us. You know, the BAFTAs are incredible, and I’m excited. I just get excited that we get to go and we get to see each other.”

Forging Connections and Celebrating Community

One of the aspects Cooper cherishes about awards season is the opportunity to connect with fellow nominees and celebrate the collective achievements of the film industry. He recounted his conversation with fellow Best Actor nominee Colman Domingo, with whom he shared a photo shoot recently.

“I have to say I’ve gotten to know Colman, who I just love, and to be able to talk to him today was just awesome. And what a performance,” Cooper enthused. “We did a photo shoot for a magazine recently. And then we exchanged numbers. And since then, we’ve just been, you know, talking and texting, and I was able to just tell him how wonderful he was in Rustin. I got to meet Cillian (Murphy) at the Golden Globes, who I’ve never met all these years. I remember we kind of started out around the same time. I feel like he exploded, though, with 28 Days Later, and then Sunshine blew me away. So that is the one great thing about this time of the year is you get to meet people that you’ve been fans of and just sort of shower praise on them.”

Cooper emphasized the sense of community that emerges during this time, akin to the theater community in New York City, where artists congregate and support one another. He elaborated, “Somebody else is doing the same thing when you’re making a movie, and when you get to the end of the year, and you’re all together, and you realize, ‘Oh, yeah, they were making Oppenheimer when they were making Rustin, and while we were making Maestro,’ and then it feels really like that sort of emotional sense of that there’s a community.”

Maestro: A Vision Realized

Cooper’s elation over Maestro’s recognition stems from the profound vision he had for the film. He sought to transcend the boundaries of a traditional biopic and delve into the complexities of Leonard Bernstein’s life, his marriage, his family, and the challenges he faced as a human being.

“It was when I saw that there was a possibility for merging a human story and a way that could be explored with all of the complications and confusions of what it is to just be a human in this world. This story of their relationship, I thought, encompassed the ability for us to explore all of those things in a film, coupled with his music, for his music to guide it,” Cooper explained.

He expressed his belief that the film’s combination of a relatable human story and the cinematic brilliance of Bernstein’s music would resonate with audiences. “I thought that combination of being able to have a story that hopefully people feel that they can relate to in ways that they didn’t think they would, and then yet it’s so cinematic because of this incredible genius of a musician. Because the movie is really created and structured through his music.”

Celebrating Collaborators and Carey Mulligan’s Transcendent Performance

Cooper extended his praise to the various collaborators who contributed to Maestro’s success, including the sound team, cinematographer Matthew Libatique, makeup artist Kazu Hiro, screenwriter Josh Singer, and, of course, Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan.

Mulligan’s performance as Felicia Montealegre Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein’s wife, left a profound impression on Cooper. He described her as “transcendent,” capable of captivating the camera and the audience with her sheer presence.

“It was my hope when I started to realize what movie I wanted to write and explore, that there would be an actress that could fulfill that, and then Carey not only fulfilled it but allowed me to explore cinematically in ways that I wouldn’t know if she wasn’t able to just be, I would say, almost transcendent, so that the camera, that the movie wants to stay on her. So I just listened to the movie and listened to her from what she was doing,” Cooper said.

He continued, “She really commandeered it in a way that I wanted her to, and that I wanted Felicia to, and I think that’s why the children became so excited from the very beginning that their mother’s story was going to be explored just as well as their father’s. But Carey, I’ve always been a huge fan of hers. I really do believe that she’s doing something even that I haven’t seen before, and that is what you hope as an actor to keep growing. And I’m excited to see what she’s gonna do next, and I hope and pray I get to work with her again in my life.”

A Heartwarming Reaction from the Bernstein Family

Among the many congratulatory messages Cooper received, one that held particular significance came from the Bernstein family, whose unwavering support and trust had been instrumental in bringing Maestro to life. He shared a WhatsApp chat with Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, that exuded warmth and appreciation.

“From Jamie: Hugs and more hugs. Love riding this crazy train with you, and onward we go!” Cooper recounted with a smile.

Embracing the Journey to the Oscars

As Cooper embarks on the road to the Oscars, he carries with him a sense of gratitude and anticipation. The recognition Maestro has received is a testament to the collective effort of the cast and crew, and he looks forward to celebrating their achievements at the prestigious ceremony.

“Onward to the Oscars. Pretty nice,” Cooper concluded with a touch of exhilaration.