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AIBU?

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Original poster

Bradley Cooper and 'Jewface'

275 replies

Shimto · 18/08/2023 01:22

His biopic of Leonard Bernstein, and the release of the trailer show BC wearing a prosthetic nose to play Bernstein.

Leonard Bernstein's family have issued a warm, supportive and beautiful statement supporting BC's commitment to the role and rejecting the criticism.

I was really surprised to see the prosthetic. I understand the cries of Jewface. I think BC is an intelligent, talented actor and producer. My initial reaction was 'what was he thinking?' while also finding the family's statement so heartfelt.

Sorry if there's another thread - my quick search didn't find one. I guess my AIBU is whether BC was right or wrong here - I've been pondering it today.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
Original poster
Shimto · 18/08/2023 01:28

Oh, the vote thing. I forgot.

So...

BC is right to wear a prosthetic nose - YABU
WTF was he thinking - YANBU

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 18/08/2023 01:29

YABU.

DMRCFNEGC · 18/08/2023 01:33

It doesn't even look like an accurate representation from the pictures I've seen

Bradley Cooper and 'Jewface'
Susannainblue · 18/08/2023 01:34

It's bollocks. BC wore a prosthetic and make up to allow him to more close resemble the person he was playing. If anything the offensive stereotyping is coming from the critics.
LB's family statement was lovely.

HRTQueen · 18/08/2023 01:34

I have often thought he is morphing into Barry Manilow

he has now fully morphed

i think he would have been best not to

TomatoSandwiches · 18/08/2023 01:37

YABU

GreenCereal · 18/08/2023 01:37

If Leonard Bernstein wasn’t Jewish, but still had a prominent nose, and BC wore a prosthetic to play the part, what would the critics be saying?

lovewoola · 18/08/2023 01:38

I have often thought he is morphing into Barry Manilow

i've thought this, too much tweaking

Aquamarine1029 · 18/08/2023 01:40

GreenCereal · 18/08/2023 01:37

If Leonard Bernstein wasn’t Jewish, but still had a prominent nose, and BC wore a prosthetic to play the part, what would the critics be saying?

Not a thing because it wouldn't make headlines.

RichardsGear · 18/08/2023 01:43

HRTQueen · 18/08/2023 01:34

I have often thought he is morphing into Barry Manilow

he has now fully morphed

i think he would have been best not to

He always reminded me of Des O'Connor but I can see the Bazza thing too.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 18/08/2023 01:47

Naomi Watts wore a prosthetic nose to play Princess Diana. Also wigs and possibly contact lenses.

Clearly, she should be cancelled and banished! 🙄

(you can tell that was sarcasm, right? I don’t trust people to use common sense anymore)

TomatoSandwiches · 18/08/2023 01:49

The truth is that BC own nose is not that far off LB, ( btw that picture is one of the most flattering angles taken for LB ) it's less bulbous at the end but you would be hard strapped to find a prosthetic that would not add a little more to the bridge which is why in the BW stills it looks slightly off.

We will have to wait and see if it adds or distracts from his performance.

Stopsnowing · 18/08/2023 01:50

Didn’t Nicole Kidman wear a prosthetic to play Virginia Woolf?

if only Jewish actors should portray Jewish people, would the reverse apply?

Brunoandthebigfoot · 18/08/2023 01:50

HRTQueen · 18/08/2023 01:34

I have often thought he is morphing into Barry Manilow

he has now fully morphed

i think he would have been best not to

God, I can’t I see this now.

TheMadGardener · 18/08/2023 01:51

Nicole Kidman wore a prosthetic nose to play Virginia Woolf. Gary Oldman was heavily disguised as Winston Churchill. There was no outcry. Actors are always wearing prosthetics and make-up to look more like the characters they are portraying. This is a non-story.

JaneJeffer · 18/08/2023 01:52

Was there a fuss about Nicole Kidman playing Virginia Woolf with a fake nose?

Bradley Cooper and 'Jewface'
DMRCFNEGC · 18/08/2023 01:55

TomatoSandwiches · 18/08/2023 01:49

The truth is that BC own nose is not that far off LB, ( btw that picture is one of the most flattering angles taken for LB ) it's less bulbous at the end but you would be hard strapped to find a prosthetic that would not add a little more to the bridge which is why in the BW stills it looks slightly off.

We will have to wait and see if it adds or distracts from his performance.

Ah fair enough I did think it was very different from the picture but it makes sense is that was a particually flattering angle

Original poster
Shimto · 18/08/2023 01:58

Princess Diana, Virginia Woolf and Churchill weren't Jewish!

The criticism is entirely to do with the issue of 'Jewface' - not cinematic prosthetics in general.

OP posts:
ClaraBourne · 18/08/2023 02:02

Take Jewish out of it. It's about looking like the character if it's a defining characteristic.

Ariadnel · 18/08/2023 02:10

ClaraBourne · 18/08/2023 02:02

Take Jewish out of it. It's about looking like the character if it's a defining characteristic.

Take Jewish out of it? That comment might well underpin the whole issue.

A colleague talked about this today. He said that a good yardstick was kid's school plays. If a child playing a Jewish character had a big fake nose in a school play, it would be considered fairly problematic.

What's the difference between blackface and Jewface? Why is one outrageous and the other fine?

LordSalem · 18/08/2023 02:10

ClaraBourne · 18/08/2023 02:02

Take Jewish out of it. It's about looking like the character if it's a defining characteristic.

This. This is not something that's commonly done, there is no negative agenda being applied here. The family are behind it. Especially given how things are so highly judged now, if it was offensive his career would be over. Anti-semitism is still a problem, this is not that.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 18/08/2023 02:12

Shimto · 18/08/2023 01:58

Princess Diana, Virginia Woolf and Churchill weren't Jewish!

The criticism is entirely to do with the issue of 'Jewface' - not cinematic prosthetics in general.

OP, can you clarify if you think that Bradley Cooper would have been ok to play the role of a Jewish person if he hadn’t been wearing a prosthetic?

Or do you think his appearance would have distracted from his performance and therefore should have gone to someone who more closely resembles Leonard Bernstein?

LordSalem · 18/08/2023 02:14

Shall we do Womanface as well? I've more of a weighted opinion on that one than I have in this particular case.

Original poster
Shimto · 18/08/2023 02:17

DifficultBloodyWoman No, it's not about BC playing a Jewish man. My post is about the prosthetic nose.

I cannot imagine for one moment that had he NOT worn a prosthetic nose that there would have been a groundswell of opinion that he was unconvincing as Bernstein, because of his nose.

OP posts:
DifficultBloodyWoman · 18/08/2023 02:18

LordSalem · 18/08/2023 02:14

Shall we do Womanface as well? I've more of a weighted opinion on that one than I have in this particular case.

I don’t think many people were upset by (female) Cate Blanchett playing (male) BobDylan were they?

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