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Helen Mirren Opens Up About ‘Jewface’ Controversy of Bradley Cooper’s Prosthetic Nose in Leonard Bernstein Film
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Actress Helen Mirren arrives for the Premiere of the film ‘Fast X’ on May 12, 2023, at the Colosseum monument in Rome. Photo: Luca Carlino via Reuters Connect
Academy Award-winning British actress Dame Helen Mirren in a new interview defended actor Bradley Cooper for wearing a prosthetic nose in his portrayal of Jewish composer and playwright Leonard Bernstein, adding that it is important to find a “delicate balance” when portraying people of different heritages on screen.
Mirren, 78, made the comment on BBC Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg while discussing not only Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein in the film Maestro but also her own role depicting former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in her latest film, Golda.
Mirren attracted some controversy for not being Jewish but still being cast to play an iconic Jewish figure is Israel’s history in the film directed by Guy Nattiv. At the same time, Cooper faced backlash for his use of a prosthetic nose in Maestro. Critics said the nose enhancement amplified the “Jewface” antisemitic stereotype that Jews have noticeably large noses and noted the prosthetic was larger than Bernstein’s actual nose.
When asked about actors being accused of doing “Jewface” and the controversy surrounding Cooper, Mirren said she “can see” why some people may be uncomfortable with the portrayals.
“I think I can see, but sometimes I can’t see, because, I can’t see who in this room is Jewish,” she explained “We are all such an amazing mix and certainly I don’t have an issue with Kirk Douglas playing a Viking. Kirk Douglas was Jewish.”
“I think the whole question of assuming a certain physiognomy because you’re playing a particular race — there is something offensive about that,” she added. “On the other hand, if you’re playing Leonard Bernstein, and this is really what Leonard Bernstein looked like, you know, maybe it’s a good idea. It’s as I said, it’s a very delicate balance.”
Golda focuses on the hard-pressing decisions Israel’s first female prime minister had to make during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on the holiest day in Judaism. Mirren said on Sunday that Meir’s rise to power was “an astounding moment for young women,” and that “up to that point it was incomprehensible that a woman could lead a country, let alone as complex and as important as Israel.”
The actress added that she was “of course” aware of the controversy surrounding Meir regarding her comments about Palestinians. The former prime minster famously said there was “no such thing as Palestinians.” However, Meir also acknowledged the possibility of future Palestinian statehood in 1970, according to recently declassified protocols.
“All I’m doing is playing Golda during the period of the Yom Kippur War,” Mirren said. “I’m not explaining her or rationalizing her or reappraising her. I’m just playing a woman of that age dealing with that situation.”
Maestro will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 20.
