The Maestro

This film is what Filming should be like. No special effects, just a great script and talented actors to portray the characters. Beautifully filmed, on a micro budget. wonderful direction. Xander Berkeley and Leo Marks, worked so well together. I felt like I was transported to LA 1949? This film was based on the screenwriters Father, Jerry Herst. CV Herst is not a first time writer. I expect to see more films that he writes and produces in the future. Happy to see this talent come to life,

Chances are that you've never heard of The Maestro--Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. I certainly hadn't. But you've no doubt heard and been influenced by his teaching and his music.

The Maestro is a slow and steady burn like a warm candle flickering in a darkened room examining the challenges and beauty of art. If you are looking for explosions and fast paced drama, this isn't the film for you. But if you'd like to cozy up by the fire, crack open a good book, and get a glimpse into a life that will keep you contemplating after the credits have rolled, then welcome to The Maestro.

I was most taken and shaken by the gentle and careful pacing of this film. Xander's Accent was excellent and character innate.

If anything reminds of the course of service in art it's this: We Need You Not To Remember Us For What We Did, But Remember Yourselves For What You Can Do.

I enjoyed the actors, especially the Landlady who brought this subtle but very unique touch of humanity and compassion that makes her very forgivable. The Scenery and Shots kept me focused on both story and without need of the period in which it took place, made a timeless story come to life.

In order for something to live forever it doesn't have to be remembered, but reflected and Tedesco's influences will live forever because he made this place better than he found it.....and those whom he taught carried after him, the inspiration forward for those after them.

I was fortunate enough to meet many of those involved with this film and was so grateful for such a needed simple message for humanity: Don't wait to lose something in order to appreciate it.

To put it in one word, this movie was BLAND! The Jerry Herst character was played as if the man was going for groceries, smiling at everyone he meets, being 'gentile', uninvolved and distanced from the life events that happen to him. Dead-faced acting skills. The maestro character was played in a cliché Italian kind of way. Sometimes it felt like he was the little brother of Watto from the Star Wars movies. The story itself was uninspiring and tedious. No depth at all.

This film is worth watching just to learn the tiny bit of information provided on Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

If you like movies about people seeking their artistic self then this film is a sure winner. It's a thoughtful and entertaining story about a teacher bringing to the surface the talents of a student seeking his musical abilities.

It's worth every minute!