Bradley Cooper (‘Maestro’) makes Critics Choice Awards history

Five years ago, as a result of his various major contributions to “A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper made Critics Choice Awards history as the first recipient of writing, directing, and acting nominations for a single film. Although he left that ceremony empty-handed and his self-produced debut lost Best Picture, he clearly remains in the good graces of CCA voters, as proven by the fact that his sophomore directorial effort, “Maestro,” has just earned him a second shot at both pulling off the same hat trick and finally having his name attached to a winner of the organization’s top prize. That’s a tall order to be sure, but the multihyphenate fortunately has quite a few other rare or even unprecedented achievements to potentially fall back on if he falters.

Cooper – who is credited with two CCA wins in the retired categories of Best Comedy Movie Actor (“Silver Linings Playbook,” 2013) and Best Action Movie Actor (“American Sniper,” 2015) – has now, as a first-time Best Original Screenplay nominee, earned official individual recognition from this group in seven specific areas. Also worth mentioning is the fact that six of the films he has produced – including “A Star Is Born” and “Maestro” – have been nominated for Best Picture.

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If Cooper now succeeds in avenging his Best Actor losses for “Silver Linings Playbook” and “A Star Is Born,” he will follow Christian Bale (supporting: “The Fighter,” 2011; lead and comedy: “Vice,” 2019) as the second winner of three different CCA Awards for solo film acting. Not counting niche performing nominee Kumail Nanjiani (comedy: “The Big Sick,” 2018), Cooper has stood as the sole recipient of same-film writing and general acting CCA notices since 2018. He is now also the organization’s only two-time concurrent directing and acting nominee after having initially followed the singular example of Denzel Washington (“Fences,” 2017). Bearing in mind that actor-directors such as Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby,” 2005) and Ben Affleck (“Argo,” 2013) didn’t even land performance bids, Cooper would of course be the first achiever of either that or the acting-writing win combination.

When it comes to being simultaneously recognized for directing and writing, Cooper belongs to a 45-member club that includes only seven other double entrants as well as newly-minted three-timer Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird,” 2018; “Little Women,” 2020; “Barbie,” 2024). He and fellow new repeater Christopher Nolan (“Inception,” 2011; “Oppenheimer,” 2024) join The Coen Brothers (“No Country for Old Men,” 2008; “True Grit,” 2011), Alexander Payne (“Sideways,” 2005; “The Descendants,” 2012), David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”; “American Hustle,” 2014), Quentin Tarantino (“Inglourious Basterds,” 2010; “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” 2020), and Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” 2018; “The Banshees of Inisherin,” 2023).

Along with Nolan and Tony McNamara (“The Favourite,” 2019; “Poor Things,” 2024), Cooper is also now part of a group of 20 writers who have each been CCA-nominated for at least one original and one adapted screenplay. Other slots on that roster are filled by Gerwig and her “Barbie” co-author, Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” 2020; “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” 2010), as well as Cooper’s own “Maestro” writing partner, Josh Singer (“Spotlight,” 2016 and “The Post,” 2018; “First Man,” 2019).

Like “A Star Is Born,” “Maestro” picked up additional CCA nominations for Best Cinematography (both Matthew Libatique), Best Editing, and Best Actress (Carey Mulligan). Since Cooper’s first film ended up with two wins (Best Actress, Lady Gaga; Best Song, “Shallow”), it stands to reason that his second could easily bring him some form of personal glory.

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