'Mozart in the Jungle'

"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

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

It is billed as a comedy - I think this critic gets it.
Electric Review - Mozart in the Jungle

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.

I would love to watch but can't afford to if I have to take out a subscription.

Clyde. You're breaking my heart.

Still haven't watched this yet, but the show seems to be doing surprisingly well given these initial thoughts.

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I clicked on this thread hoping it was the other one.

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.

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.