The award season is back! Despite dancing with controversies over diversity, the Screen Guild Awards has been keeping its head high as a benchmark for critical acclaim and recognition. Although predicting the ultimate winner on February 24 is trickier than forecasting the weather, the excitement lies in guessing which film will clinch the top honors. That said, the current clash for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards revolves around two cinematic giants – Oppenheimer and Maestro, and it is safe to say that movie buffs are finally over the Barbenheimer phenomenon. 

While Barbie struggled to meet its promised accolades at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Oppenheimer stole the spotlight by clinching the most awards of the night. Although Maestro faced a fate similar to Barbie at the Golden Globes, here are all the reasons why it has a significantly stronger chance at the SAG Awards.

Maestro had roots back to Bradley Cooper’s early life

Bradley Cooper has been toiling away on bringing Maestro to the big screen since 2018. However, in his Variety Actors on Actors interview with Emma Stone, he shared how his passion for Maestro had roots deep in his childhood. He described it as having “years and years of rehearsal inside of [him],” or at least a burning desire to step into such a character’s shoes. 

All of this resonated clearly in Cooper’s meticulous choices and razor-sharp focus. Blending Bernstein’s artistic universe with his elusive real life, Cooper orchestrated an impressionistic medley, aiming for something that was both emotionally raw and dreamlike. However, the movie had its own set of limitations that could potentially impede its chances of surpassing a box office behemoth like Oppenheimer at the SAG Awards.

Gaps and deficiencies in Maestro 

The final result of Maestro felt somewhat over-calculated, showcasing an excessive sheen without achieving pinpoint precision. In his portrayal of Lenny, Cooper aimed for an intense form of realism and imitation. He fully embraced the gestures, vocal nuances, and wrinkles of his character with such dedication that the prosthetic nose almost faded into the background. What stood out, however, was the collective effort, not solely from Cooper but from everyone involved.

The interweaving dialogues and uproarious laughter often came across as forced and mechanical, devoid of any authentic, underlying connection. Lenny’s initial encounter with his soon-to-be wife, Felicia sometimes resembled two people bantering with themselves rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue. By sticking to the script so rigidly, Cooper, in many places, missed the forest for the trees. 

Despite these underwhelming aspects, there is still a ray of hope that makes Maestro a dark horse in the SAG Awards race.

Why Maestro has got a shot at the SAG Awards over Oppenheimer? 

There is a saying that the SAG Awards recognize individuals, not just the projects they are a part of. While Oppenheimer and its cast are undeniably popular and acclaimed, the movie’s rise to fame was largely due to its clash with Barbie. Oppenheimer stood out as a multi-genre extravaganza, blending elements of a psychological thriller, a heist film, and a courtroom drama. Meanwhile, Maestro was very personal and it established a powerful emotional connection between the characters, played by Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, over four decades. 

Lenny’s expansive musical universe and a hedonistic double life with same-sex partners further intricately complicated this connection. Many fans expressed that Oppenheimer left them feeling like a drained student in a stuffy, chilly, and cramped classroom. In contrast, Maestro uplifted their spirits, filling their hearts and submerging them into baptismal waters. And this response was simply because of the world-class performances by Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan. 

Do you think Maestro can outshine Oppenheimer at the SAG Awards? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!