In Defense of Bradley Cooper, Whose ‘Maestro’ Oscar Campaign Was Genuine and Vulnerable — Not ‘Thirsty’

variety.com:

Daniel D'Addario Chief TV Critic Bradley Cooper can’t win. That’s meant literally; there seems, based on how the precursor awards have shaken out, effectively no chance that he will capitalize on his three Oscar nominations this year, for acting in, writing, and producing the Leonard Bernstein biopic “Maestro.” (He wasn’t nominated for directing the film, as he wasn’t for 2018’s “A Star Is Born.) His career tally is likely to bloat to a lopsided 0-for-12 nominations, making him, at 49 years old, the most overdue man in the industry.

But he also can’t seem to put his best foot forward — at least as regards the Oscar-watching commentariat. This year, his zealous and enthusiastic campaign on “Maestro’s” behalf has included a variety of gestures perceived as head-scratchers.

In one televised interview, Cooper wept in front of the late Bernstein’s adult children, describing his spiritual connection to the man he played; the fact of Cooper’s having studied conducting for six years in order to perform one six-minute scene in action in front of an orchestra was well-worn.

And a recent podcast interview featured the revelation that Cooper took time to realize he loved his daughter, who is now six years old, in the months after she was born.