I have to wonder why all biographies about musicians and composers focus so much on their personal lives at the expense of their music. Bernstein was an extremely unique figure. He was one of the few people of his time who was comfortable both in the highbrow world of classical music and in the slightly more lowbrow world of the popular idiom. I know this isn't supposed to be a documentary (if people want that they can check out the excellent one PBS' American Masters series did on him), but I would like it if filmmakers focused more on what made these people famous in the first place, because it sure wasn't their sex lives...
I have to wonder why all biographies about musicians and composers focus so much on their personal lives at the expense of their music. Bernstein was an extremely unique figure. He was one of the few people of his time who was comfortable both in the highbrow world of classical music and in the slightly more lowbrow world of the popular idiom. I know this isn't supposed to be a documentary (if people want that they can check out the excellent one PBS' American Masters series did on him), but I would like it if filmmakers focused more on what made these people famous in the first place, because it sure wasn't their sex lives...
Well, in fairness, there are a couple of great musical interludes, but yes, I take your point. The performances are still terrific though. :)