Drama
United States of America
The Maestro is a biographical drama film based on the life of Jerry Herst, a young and talented composer who moves to Hollywood after the Second World War to pursue his dreams of becoming a successful film composer. He turns to Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, a renowned Italian composer and teacher of some of the most famous composers of modern times, such as Henry Mancini, John Williams, and Randy Newman.
As Jerry starts to learn from his mentor, he discovers that beyond just composing music, he has to face the harsh realities of the film industry. Together, he and Castelnuovo-Tedesco begin to work on various film projects, with Jerry perfecting his craft and establishing his own signature sound in the process. As he makes progress in his career, Jerry also has to navigate the tumultuous atmosphere of Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s.
But when the infamous era of McCarthyism casts its dark shadow over the entertainment industry, Jerry is forced to confront the paranoia and fear-mongering that threatens to destroy his career and his relationship with his mentor. Through it all, Jerry remains faithful to his passion for music and his desire to leave a lasting legacy as one of the great film composers of his time.
Directed by Adam Cushman, the film stars actors Xander Berkeley as Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Bobby Cannavale as Jerry Herst. The film premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in 2018 and has received critical acclaim and positive reviews since its release.
