Maestro The musical biography of conductor Leonard Bernstein is not an unqualified success, but the performances of Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan are the undeniable highlights. Pablo M. Fuentenebro Netflix and Bradley Cooper are making another ambitious push for the Oscar. Cooper is unrecognizable and magnetic in his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein, marking a biopic that delves into the life of a musician—a theme that often plays well with the Academy Awards. The combination of music and cinema is a proven formula for attracting nominations and even securing wins, though they are few. 'Amadeus' stands out as a Best Picture highlight, while there's more leeway in acting categories with recent examples like Renée Zellweger in 'Judy', Marion Cotillard in 'La Vie en Rose', and Jamie Foxx in 'Ray'. Cooper is the driving force of the film, shining both in his role and as a director, marking his second directorial venture following the success of 'A Star is Born' in 2018. He also returns as a screenwriter. Few careers have had as lasting an impact as Cooper's, spanning over 15 years. He burst onto the scene in 2009 with 'The Hangover' and has since taken bold risks, inching ever closer it seems to Oscar glory. PHOTO: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images Despite his twelfth nomination, it seems he may yet again leave empty-handed. He has been nominated five times as an actor and five times as a producer for his movies, 'American Sniper', 'Nightmare Alley', and 'Joker', with an additional two nominations for his screenwriting. His directorial work remains unrewarded. Netflix joined the project in its latest bid to clinch the coveted Oscar, having come close with 'Roma', 'The Power of the Dog', 'All Quiet on the Western Front', 'Marriage Story', and 'Mank', but it has yet to win Best Picture. Netflix has secured wins for Best Documentary with 'Icarus', Best International Feature Film with 'Roma' and 'All Quiet on the Western Front', and Best Animated Feature with 'Pinocchio', but the Best Picture award eludes them. PHOTO: Richard Harbaugh/Getty Images Carey Mulligan is another cornerstone of the project, seeking her third Oscar nomination after 'An Education' and 'Promising Young Woman'. She is one of the finest actors of her generation, known for her roles in cult cinema like 'Drive', 'Shame', and 'Never Let Me Go'. Cooper has surrounded himself with talent, including producer Steven Spielberg, who holds the record for the most nominations in that category with 13 (23 in total). This is the second time he has produced a film that isn't his own, the first being 'Letters from Iwo Jima'. PHOTO: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Among its seven nominations, the film's soundtrack is a standout feature, with Richard King, a stalwart in the field and also nominated for 'Oppenheimer', being the favorite for Nolan's latest work. This could be his fifth award. The Oscar that 'Maestro' is most likely to win is for Makeup and Hairstyling. Cooper's transformation into Bernstein is remarkable, thanks to Kazuhiro Tsuji's work, which could earn him his third Oscar, with 'Poor Things' as its main competition. By: Pablo M. Fuentenebro Production: Mariano Tovar Development Rodrigo Ludgero Design Darío González Main page Watch again All the nominations for Best Picture