'Mozart in the Jungle'
'Mozart in the Jungle'
NOB88
Stand-by Joined: 10/21/06
#1'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/7/14 at 2:45pm
"Malcolm McDowell is the symphony conductor, being pushed out for Gael Garcia Bernal's sexy Rodrigo, who has a touch of Gustavo Dudamel to him. Bernadette Peters plays the symphony board's chairman doing the pushing."
Looks better than Smash. You can watch the pilot for free here:
http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-HD/dp/B00I3NHQ5I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391733872&sr=8-2&keywords=mozart+in+the+jungle
'Mozart in the Jungle' Should Have a Future at Amazon
#2'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/8/14 at 1:56pmThe pilot intrigued me- I will definitely watch.
"Forget regret or life is yours to miss."
#2'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/9/14 at 2:15am
Smash was trash, but at least I guess I can understand someone enjoying the campiness of it all. Mozart in the Jungle is so bad that I have to wonder if the otherwise gifted creators are trolling us. I can't beieve the last time I've felt so insulted as an audience member. And it's a shame, I mean, look at the pedigree of this show. Written and created by Jason Schmwartzman, Roman Coppola and Tony-nominee Alex Timbers. And starring Gael Garcia Bernal (a brilliant film actor), Malcolm Mcdowell (a respected film vet) and Bernadette Peters (a beloved Broadway star). Unfortunately, nearly every single aspect of the show is a total disaster.
The writing wouldn't be out of place in a 1980s evening soap opera (or a porno for that matter). I mean check this exchange with an oboist:
"Do your lips hurt after playing like that?”
“They used to … but now they’re used to taking the abuse”???
All of the actors appear to be acting in different shows, the direction is an unfocused mess, the production design is cheap and chintzy and even the sound editing is sloppy. I thought it was just my speakers until I saw a couple of other reviews on Amazon that mentioned the same thing. There's also no attention to detail. Just look at the awkward way in which Bernal and Mcdowell are "conducting". Their characters are supposed to be the maestros of a (fictional) NY symphony orchestra but they look like they spent 10 minutes watching marching band videos on YouTube and then shot their scenes. I feel especially bad for Bernal who is one of our finest young actors and does his best to rise above the material. He should seriously consider seeking new representation after this.
At the end of the day, I think the creators were attempting to create some Altman-esque tapestry of life behind the scenes in the classical music world. Instead they gave us this confused mess that doesn't seem to know what kind of show it is, what it's trying to say or how it wants to say it. Don't let the fact that this show takes place in the rarefied world of classical music fool you into thinking that it's remotely sophisticated. This is Danielle Steeel's ideal of sophisticated. What an embarrassment for Amazon and a sad reminder that under the right circumstances, a group of extremely talented artists can come together to create a total turkey.
Updated On: 2/9/14 at 02:15 AM
#3'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/11/14 at 6:46pm
>>> Don't let the fact that this show takes place in the rarefied world of classical music fool you into thinking that it's remotely sophisticated
OK, but it was entertaining. It's not always a good thing to take everything so seriously. A distraction from real life and ones own problems can be a good thing.
"Forget regret or life is yours to miss."
NOB88
Stand-by Joined: 10/21/06
#4'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/11/14 at 8:37pm
It is billed as a comedy - I think this critic gets it.
Electric Review - Mozart in the Jungle
#5'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/11/14 at 10:46pm
I'm not some pseudo-intellectual snob. I'm not above "comfort food" entertainment. I don't always want to be challenged and startled by my entertainment--not everything has to be Mad Men or Enlightened--I get that. I have occasionally turned on an episode of The Big Bang Theory or Law and Order: SVU for a 30-60 minute diversion. But those shows, while hardly ambitious or unique, at least understand what kinds of shows they are-- a conventional 30 minute network sitcom and a conventional 60 minute network police procedural. Neither will change the face of television, but both are very well made and I can appreciate that.
Mozart was a total dud and totally confused in tone and direction. It seems to have no idea what kind of show it's supposed to be and, frankly, it belongs on a basic cable network in the 1980s. Funnily enough, this show is too poorly made to make it onto a basic cable channel like FX or AMC today. Kill it with fire, let's never speak of it again. Amazon is still clearly in the minor leagues of original programming.
#6'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 2/11/14 at 11:19pm
No big shock, but I'm (mostly) in agreement with Horse. It didn't offend me quite the same as it seems to have Horse, but I really did feel it was confused in tone. Usually I can cut a pilot some slack, but even with cutting this pilot a lot of slack, with Amazon they have to sell these shows to the audience purely on the strengths of the pilot (they picked up, what, two out of how many last year? I don't want to even think about that Bebe Neuwirth musical comedy pilot...)
A lot of talented people are involved with this in front and behind the camera, and they really shouldn't even waste their time. I wish it really was about an orchestra in the jungle, then it might actually reach the "can't look away" quality some of it seems to be going for.
#7'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 3/11/14 at 8:57pm
Well, color me surprised, Amazon has picked up Mozart in the Jungle for a full season order. They've also picked up Transparent, Bosch and The After.
More from SCREEN CRUSH
NOB88
Stand-by Joined: 10/21/06
#8'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 3/11/14 at 10:30pmI would love to watch but can't afford to if I have to take out a subscription.
#9'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 3/12/14 at 12:31pmBEST NEWS EVER! I watched Mozart in the Jungle twice in one day I loved it so much. Transparent was pretty good too.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
#11'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 3/12/14 at 2:00pm
Hrmm... Maybe I'll give it a second episode. I can see this show gaining a cult audience, I admit.
Has anyone checked out the other series? I feel like I should watch the Chris Carter one, but I kinda don't wanna.
#12'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 11/19/15 at 11:33pm
Still haven't watched this yet, but the show seems to be doing surprisingly well given these initial thoughts.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#13'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 11/20/15 at 7:35am
OMG. Do you guys remember that other Mozart in the Jungle thread in which the original Mozart in the Jungle authoress and psychotic ex-spouse of Bill Nye the Science Guy added multiple posts in which she anonymously defended the show against our criticisms, and then absolutely lost her **** on me and a few others and in the process of that meltdown admitted that she, Blair Tindall, was the genius behind the original book? God, I miss her.
Mekroth
Broadway Star Joined: 2/23/08
#14'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 11/20/15 at 3:09pm
I clicked on this thread hoping it was the other one.
#15'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 11/20/15 at 5:37pm
Me too, Mekroth, me too.
Come back, Blair! Clearly we were wrong. Your show is a critical and commercial success, just like you told us it would be. I'm ready to eat some crow. Don't leave us hanging.
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#16'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 11/27/15 at 2:02am
With all due respect, I loved the first season of Mozart and am delighted that it's been renewed. A dramedy set in the world of a symphony orchestra is so original and the cast is terrific. Not especially profound but great fun.
Huss417
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#17'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 12/30/15 at 6:18pm
Just thought I would let those who are interested know that Season 2 is now on Amazon Prime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Sh_02W0rw
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
Cupid Boy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
#18'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 1/3/16 at 6:07pm
I'm on the 8th episode and am baffled by the number of story lines in season 2. It's kind of messy but enjoyable in parts.
#19'Mozart in the Jungle'
Posted: 1/3/16 at 10:04pm
I've watched a few episodes of the first season and it's generic fun soapy schlock. The problem is, having been a classical musician for 15 years, Gael's total lack of musicality is embarrassing. It's bad enough that he didn't have enough training in conducting to appear remotely convincing, the scene of him playing violin (a riff of Capriccio Espagnole by Rimsky-Korsakov, one of my favorite pieces) was like watching a scene from an early Charles Busch play.
By the way, I did a double-take when Debra Monk appeared! I didn't even recognize her at first. WOW!
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
