''Maestro'' is a 2014 French

comedy-drama film Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, illness, betrayal, grief, etc. ...

directed by

Léa Fazer Léa Fazer (born 20 April 1965) is a Swiss film director, screenwriter and actress. She studied film at the University Paris Diderot. Her film ''Bienvenue en Suisse'' was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2004 Cannes Film Festiva ...

. The idea of the film came from co-writer

Jocelyn Quivrin Jocelyn Quivrin (14 February 1979 – 15 November 2009) was a French actor. He had a supporting role in the film ''Syriana''. Early life Jocelyn Quivrin was born in Dijon on 14 February 1979. His father, Vincent Beaufils, was an anaesthetis ...

's experience of working with director

Éric Rohmer Jean Marie Maurice Schérer or Maurice Henri Joseph Schérer, known as Éric Rohmer (; 21 March 192011 January 2010), was a French film director, film critic, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and teacher. Rohmer was the last of the Post-war, p ...

in 2006 on Rohmer's last film ''

Romance of Astree and Celadon ''The Romance of Astrea and Celadon'' () is a 2007 historical romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Éric Rohmer and starring Andy Gillet and Stéphanie Crayencour. Based on Honoré d'Urfé's 17th-century novel '' L'Astrée'', it i ...

''. It stars

Pio Marmaï Pio Marmaï (born 13 July 1984) is a French actor. He has appeared in more than twenty films since 2008. Early life and education Marmaï was born on 13 July 1984. His mother is a former costume designer at the Opéra de Strasbourg, and his fa ...

Michael Lonsdale Michael Edward Lonsdale Crouch (24 May 1931 – 21 September 2020), commonly known as Michael Lonsdale and sometimes as Michel Lonsdale, was a French-British actor and author who appeared in over 180 films and television shows. He is often ...

Déborah François Déborah François (; born 24 May 1987) is a Belgium, Belgian actress. She is best known for her starring role in the Palme d'Or-winning film, ''L'Enfant (film), The Child'' (2005), directed by the Dardenne brothers. In 2009, she won a César A ...

and

Alice Belaïdi Alice Belaïdi (born 18 March 1987) is a French actress. She has appeared in more than 20 films and television shows since 2010. Theatre Filmography References External links * 1987 births Living people French film actresses Fren ...

Plot

Maestro is a semi-autobiographical French dramedy inspired by actor Jocelyn Quivrin’s experiences on the set of

Eric Rohmer The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, Eirik, or Eiríkur is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Nor ...

’s final film. It follows Henri, a struggling actor who dreams of becoming an action star but finds himself cast in a low-budget, poetic costume drama directed by the enigmatic and aging auteur Cedric Rovere. Initially dismissive of the film’s artistic style, Henri focuses on pursuing a romantic interest in his co-star Gloria, but the real story lies in his evolving mentorship with Rovere. As the film progresses, Henri undergoes a transformation, learning to appreciate culture and art under Rovere’s subtle guidance. Meanwhile, Rovere’s interactions with Henri bring a playful, modern energy to his otherwise quiet and reflective life. The relationship between the two becomes the emotional core of the film, evolving into a tender exploration of personal growth and intergenerational connection. Set against the picturesque French countryside, the film captures the aesthetic charm of Rohmer’s style, with sunlit visuals and a reflective tone. Featuring standout performances by Pio Marmai as Henri and

as Rovere, the movie offers a light yet poignant behind-the-scenes look at the world of cinema and mentorship.

Cast

as Henri Renaud *

as Cédric Rovère *

as Gloria *

as Pauline Vatel * Nicolas Bridet as Nico *

Dominique Reymond Dominique Reymond (born 12 February 1957) is a French actress. She has appeared in more than seventy films since 1984. Career She has been to the Geneva Conservatory. She began her career in theater in 1978, playing the title role in ''Phèdre' ...

as Francine * Micha Lescot as José * Scali Delpeyrat as The Druid * Grégory Montel as Sam *

Marie-Armelle Deguy Marie-Armelle Deguy is a French actress, the daughter of poet and essayist Michel Deguy. Filmography Cinema *1988: ''La Septième dimension'' by Laurent Dussaux *1988: ''Zanzibar'' by Christine Pascal *1988: '' L'Enfance de l'art'' by Fra ...

as Marie-Jeanne

Reviews

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

gave it a positive review with some reservations. In summary it stated that while the film starts off light and somewhat shallow, it gains depth, showcasing a touching mentor-student relationship. Strong performances by Pio Marmai and Michael Lonsdale elevate the film, with Lonsdale delivering a particularly nuanced and memorable portrayal. The movie captures the essence of Rohmer’s style through its visuals and pacing, though the score is overly sentimental. It is expected to appeal mainly to niche audiences and Nouvelle Vague enthusiasts. On

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

, the audience has given it a 52% rating on the Tomatometer.

RogerEbert.com ''RogerEbert.com'' is an American film review website that archives reviews written by film critic Roger Ebert for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' and also shares other critics' reviews and essays. The website, underwritten by the ''Chicago Sun-Times ...

gave it a 3 start (out 4) rating. In summary it said that ''Maestro'' is a visually stunning yet emotionally shallow biopic of Leonard Bernstein that follows a conventional, episodic narrative. While the film dazzles with meticulous period details, striking cinematography, and a standout recreation of Bernstein conducting Mahler’s ''Resurrection Symphony,'' it struggles to delve deeply into his personal and musical genius. Carey Mulligan shines as Felicia Montealegre, Bernstein’s wife, but her character often feels secondary to his larger-than-life persona. The film’s exploration of Bernstein’s closeted identity and complex relationships offers glimpses of emotional depth but remains superficial. Despite these shortcomings and some questionable creative choices—such as an over-the-top musical moment toward the end—the film’s technical achievements make it worth seeing, especially on the big screen.

Accolades

References

External links

* 2014 films 2014 comedy-drama films 2010s French-language films French comedy-drama films Films about filmmaking Films about actors Films about film directors and producers Films directed by Léa Fazer Éric Rohmer 2010s French films French-language comedy-drama films {{2010s-France-film-stub