The Maestro (2018)

After the Second World War, budding film composer Jerry Herst moves to Hollywood to study with infamous master teacher Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

Director:

Adam Cushman

Writer:

C.V. Herst

Stars:

Mackenzie Astin, Sarah Clarke, Xander Berkeley

8 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mackenzie Astin	...	Sam Herst
Sarah Clarke	...	Clara Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Xander Berkeley	...	Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Kristen Gutoskie	...	Estelle Oppenheimer
Omar Doom	...	Stanley Kubrick
William Russ	...	Abe Herst
Bobby Campo	...	Gene Kelly
Lenny von Dohlen	...	Luc (Rejected Student)
Jon Polito	...	Herbert Englehart
Alex Essoe	...	Cyd Charisse
Jonathan Cherry	...	Ray
John White	...	Jerry Goldsmith
Christopher Redman	...	The Poet
Michael Johnston	...	Pietro Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Chantal Cousineau	...	Restaurant Waitress

Storyline

After the Second World War, budding film composer Jerry Herst moves to Hollywood to study with infamous master teacher Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Music

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2018 (USA)

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,080, 15 February 2019, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Phillm Productions, White Rabbit

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

There is an odd Addams Family connection, as both of the sons of the only actors to play Gomez Addams - Mackenzie Astin and Raul S. Julia - appear in the film.

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Crazy Credits

As he often didn't receive credit for his work, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco is credited first at the end of the film for being the composer - as his compositions are used throughout the film

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Connections

Features The Poet (2018)

User Reviews

Wonderfully Understated And Intimate Film

Modest by intent, The Maestro gives the spotlight to the true talent behind the scenes, whose passion for art and pursuit of excellence have played a key role in the history of cinematic arts, but often received little to no recognition because film credit was taken by others.

Florentine composer and legendary Hollywood music teacher Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (Xander Berkeley) composed scored over 200 films, and mentored, tutored, and influenced the biggest names in Post-WWII cinematic music composition, his list of pupils including John Williams, Henry Mancini, Andre' Previn, Nelson Riddle, Herman Stein, Marty Paich, and Jerry Goldsmith.

Most of Mario's scores in the 1940's and 1950's were credited to others as was common practice in that era.

At the center of the plot, is a paternal relationship that develops between Mario and one of his most talented but lesser known pupils Jerry Herst (Mackenzie Astin).

Director Adam Cushman and first-time screenwriter C.V. Herst provide an intimate look into career and life decisions each man makes to maintain their passion and dedication to music composition while navigating the Post-War Hollywood studio machine.

Cushman succeeds by keeping the focus completely away from the big names that would have resulted in this film being another Hollywood biopic that exploits famous names to succeed.

Instead, 'The Maestro' is a memorable, wonderfully understated and intimate film, with superb acting, and earns my highest recommendation as one of the best films in 2018.