Mozart in the Jungle

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Season 1
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 96 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 96
  3. Negative: 4 out of 96
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User Reviews

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  1. toliverjohn
    Jan 3, 2015
    10
    This is a must see. It is refreshing to have a series set somewhere other than a hospital or police station. The dialog is crisp and the characters are compelling.
  2. ana_melinte90
    Dec 24, 2014
    10
    This is one of the good ones. I Love everything about this show! The plot, the characters, the actors, the music. The MUSIC oh my God! Just watch it!!
  3. 04holland
    Dec 25, 2014
    10
    Yep, "One of the good ones". Couldn't say it better. Good to see a little Jason Schwartzman influence in there, Bored To Death fans are going to be pretty happy to see John Hodgman (Louis Greene). I think Gael Garcia Bernal is such a great actor. Love getting an inside look at an orchestra, Just loved the whole thing, watched the entire season in one siting. Great show !!
  4. Fladabosco
    Jan 13, 2016
    5
    I haven't seen the show or read all of the book. I am a symphony musician and I know the author and a number of people she wrote about. All my classical music friends found it hilarious that she wrote a book about sleeping with the personnel managers of classical groups to get work then was frustrated when they didn't call her to play. Duh! In the real world you get work by how well youI haven't seen the show or read all of the book. I am a symphony musician and I know the author and a number of people she wrote about. All my classical music friends found it hilarious that she wrote a book about sleeping with the personnel managers of classical groups to get work then was frustrated when they didn't call her to play. Duh! In the real world you get work by how well you play and Blaine barely played to the level she was getting called to play. If the personnel manager (usually called the contractor as they contract the musicians) hired a lady he had sex with and she didn't play up the level of the group she would not get called back (for anything..) and the contractor would be embarrassed or fired. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I've been a union player since 1975 and have played literally thousands of gigs, many times with top orchestras and famous people, and i do not see this happening.

    I hope it's a good show and it spreads the word about the wonders and joys of classical music. I guess if an impossibly handsome character shows up it must be a depiction of me!

    Congratulations to her on making a bundle on her book but I can assure you classical fans out there that we get hired by what comes out of our instruments, not by making out. There is plenty of drama but most of it is purely musical.    … Expand
  5. Fb29
    Mar 6, 2015
    10
    This show doesn't have weaknesses. It may be that you don't like classical music, don't like young people, don't support the show's political agenda, or don't like certain characters. That's fine, that's all valid. But subjective.

    Objectively, this is one of the best shows ever made. The acting, writing, music, story, cinematography, etc., are all top-notch. It's really a treat. We    This show doesn't have weaknesses. It may be that you don't like classical music, don't like young people, don't support the show's political agenda, or don't like certain characters. That's fine, that's all valid. But subjective.

    Objectively, this is one of the best shows ever made. The acting, writing, music, story, cinematography, etc., are all top-notch.

    It's really a treat. We are lucky to have it, much less for free on Amazon Prime.

    Want to know if you will like this show? Did you like Bored to Death? Do you like comedies that don't make it obvious where the punchline is? Do you like music? You will like this show.    … Expand
  6. ImSedated
    Dec 23, 2014
    9
    Enjoyed another great series brought to us by Amazon. I thought the writing was good and the casting even more so. Wished the episodes were longer than 30 minutes but already am looking forward to season two.
  7. BillJustBill
    Dec 23, 2014
    10
    Very enjoyable, fun to watch, especially if you like serious music ("Classical" is really just one period). So my review must be at least 150 characters long, which seems an arbitrary and obtuse requirement.
  8. BogKid
    Dec 29, 2014
    7
    I am not a musician and I do not live in New York City, so my criticism of this show may be the result of my country bumpkin lack of musical talent. Love the music. Like a few of the characters. Is everyone at Julliard and in the concert world so hopelessly shallow? Definitely not excellent dialogue writing. It's OK. Worth a watch. Not sure I will be able to stick it out (hate bingeI am not a musician and I do not live in New York City, so my criticism of this show may be the result of my country bumpkin lack of musical talent. Love the music. Like a few of the characters. Is everyone at Julliard and in the concert world so hopelessly shallow? Definitely not excellent dialogue writing. It's OK. Worth a watch. Not sure I will be able to stick it out (hate binge viewing) until the final chapter.… Expand
  9. PoeticDumpling
    Jan 31, 2015
    10
    Fantastic series overflowing with heart, passion, humor, and quirky delights. The comparison to Bored To Death is spot-on yet this is very different. Highly, highly recommended. A gem of a series.
  10. klea0721
    Dec 25, 2014
    9
    I was swept away into a world I have no experience. Although an avid fan of many music genres, the believable monkey business as well as blood sweat and tears behind the Symphony and creative process kept me smiling and wanting more. Well done!
  11. ereineon
    Jan 1, 2015
    10
    INCREDIBLE show. I´ve just drunk it all in one go, I´m thirsty for things like this!

    The music is amazing, the characters are wonderful and lovable, and the plot intertwine their stories in a amusing way. Kind of remind me a bit of "Nodame no Cantabile", although being nothing like that. I´m really feeling like I would read the book in which it is based on, but im afraid that this    INCREDIBLE show. I´ve just drunk it all in one go, I´m thirsty for things like this!

    The music is amazing, the characters are wonderful and lovable, and the plot intertwine their stories in a amusing way.

    Kind of remind me a bit of "Nodame no Cantabile", although being nothing like that.
    I´m really feeling like I would read the book in which it is based on, but im afraid that this kind of story NEEDS the music.

    MUST WATCH! or listen ;)    … Expand
  12. tkarabet
    Jan 13, 2015
    7
    When the composer's slight-of-hand allows the players to be excused, the New York Philharmonic diffuses through the city....
    Characters are established rather ordinarily, through their interactions with one another and the monotony of the city. They and their doings are, however, lifted up in the suspense and dramatic tension found in the breadth and depth of the classical pieces    When the composer's slight-of-hand allows the players to be excused, the New York Philharmonic diffuses through the city....
    Characters are established rather ordinarily, through their interactions with one another and the monotony of the city. They and their doings are, however, lifted up in the suspense and dramatic tension found in the breadth and depth of the classical pieces themselves. Thus, the characters and notes form a bond; loss, forgiveness, survival, and fate all ring around both elements. And at the convergence of the musical genius spread through four centuries and the individuals in the symphony? Rodrigo.
    A character study reinforced by the harmony of its soundtrack.    … Expand
  13. ShenSmith11
    Jan 12, 2015
    10
    Love this 1st Season and hoping there will be more seasons to come. A very refreshing new series with lots of kicks and twists. We sure are looking for more for sure - Loved it.
  14. Gterv1
    Jan 17, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is my first amazon series and I LOVE IT!!!!
    Gael Garcia Bernal is unbelievable in this role its like it was written for him, love Bernadette peters and the cast in general is Amazing.
    I hope people can relate to classical music but its funny, charming and fun! I hope they renew it for a new season.
    Don'tp miss it!    … Expand
  15. vgithaca
    Dec 7, 2015
    8
    Definitely unique, glad to see a Classical Music getting stage with this refreshing comedy!

    Is it the best? Maybe not, but its one of the better new shows available to watch for cord cutters like me.
  16. night4
    Apr 18, 2016
    6
    Only watch season 1! Season one gets a 9, season 2 gets a 3, so averaged is 6.

    Season one was an incredible breath of fresh air and a celebration of the love of music in all of its forms.

    Season two is just Rodrigo spouting "Hai Lai," characters trying to sleep with each other, and no humor or life to be found anywhere.
  17. gemmapartlow
    Jul 29, 2016
    8
    The thing that I like about this show is its depth. The story is about composers and musicians and love, and it is different. Gael Garcia Bernal always brings a sense of inappropriate passion to his roles, and this was no exception. He misses his home, he wants his mate made to perfection, he flirts but doesn't mean it. And then he comes alive when he's orchestrating, you can see theThe thing that I like about this show is its depth. The story is about composers and musicians and love, and it is different. Gael Garcia Bernal always brings a sense of inappropriate passion to his roles, and this was no exception. He misses his home, he wants his mate made to perfection, he flirts but doesn't mean it. And then he comes alive when he's orchestrating, you can see the joy in his eyes and his smile. I toyed with it as a movie because there's no way the show could continue the same type of feeling again and again; but then, maybe it's just perfect.

    Caveat: I only saw one episode.
    Imagine the music getting better and more nuanced, Rodrigo suffering an even greater identity crisis. His assistant growing up and becoming the next Who's Your Mama. I see potential here.    … Expand
  18. AljosaO
    Aug 24, 2016
    7
    30 Rock introduced us to behind the scenes look of making a television show, Entourage did the same with the movie life and in Glee we got to know the high school show choir world. Mozart In The Jungle offers us a look into one of the best symphonies in the world - New York Philharmonic.

    The show is based on a novel Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music by Blair    30 Rock introduced us to behind the scenes look of making a television show, Entourage did the same with the movie life and in Glee we got to know the high school show choir world. Mozart In The Jungle offers us a look into one of the best symphonies in the world - New York Philharmonic.

    The show is based on a novel Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music by Blair Tindall, a former NY Philharmonic oboist, who fictionalized her experience.

    The first season of Mozart In The Jungle is marked by a standout and original performance by Gael García Bernal. He plays a young and talented maestro Rodrigo de Souza, who takes over (as the conductor) the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra . The character is a mixture of New Girl's Jess Day, Weeds' Nancy Botwin and The Mindy Project's Mindy, making him adorable and instantly likable. The »male« quirkiness, strong accent and innocence makes him even more pleasurable. Even though the character is a little inconsistent, Bernal's performance outweighs the flaw .

    As much as the role of Rodrigo is memorable, some of the other characters seem too forced(Cynthia), too stereotypical and cliché (maestro Pembridge), unnecessary (Union Bob) or just not interesting enough. The female protagonist, Hayley, is nice, simple, played pleasantly by Lola Kirke, but that is not enough for a main role.

    The storylines in first half of the season are messy, uninteresting and dull (due to slow story development) , but that mostly improves during the season.

    While some of the plot begins to move in the right direction (opening performance storyline), the other part falls flat (e.g. The Anna Maria storyline, which is an overused concept of love - hate married couple relationship). Saying that, the characters (flawed as they are) and the story(even if not perfect) grows on you (if you stick with it).

    A lot of series with that kind of mistakes would quickly die out but Mozart In The Jungle has two big advantages keeping it being well – liked. Gael Garcia Bernal and exploring the uncharted world of classical music.    … Expand
  19. GoodVibrations
    Jun 25, 2017
    9
    I'm really impressed by this show and how it shows the artistic life in all of its grubby glory. I like how the musicians are supremely talented yet also working stiffs who have to schlub their big instruments around NYC to get part-time paying gigs. They are not tortured artists or Superstar Musicians, but just regular workers trying to get a fair wage. Gael Garcia Bernal is a great actorI'm really impressed by this show and how it shows the artistic life in all of its grubby glory. I like how the musicians are supremely talented yet also working stiffs who have to schlub their big instruments around NYC to get part-time paying gigs. They are not tortured artists or Superstar Musicians, but just regular workers trying to get a fair wage. Gael Garcia Bernal is a great actor to play Rodrigo! He really has that character down! Bernadette Peters is great. Saffron Barrows is great. I am on the fence about Lola Kirke since she seems sort of vapid and I don't hear the "blood" in her music or her acting.… Expand
  20. hitzestau
    Jun 23, 2018
    9
    A really great show, I love the setting with the classical orchestra, reminds me of the time, when I was playing the clarinet.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best TV Season of 2014
78
#78 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
3
#3 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Jan 20, 2015
    70
    It’s not the best-plotted series: stories tumble by like clothes in an off-kilter dryer. But there’s charm in intimate moments, as when two worldly women share confidences, or a lovely sequence in which Rodrigo wanders around the city, sniffing the air and playing pickup chess.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Dec 24, 2014
    80
    Coppola and Schwartzman, who has a great cameo about a reporter doing a podcast, dole out just enough in these half-hour episodes to keep it light, funny and (by the fourth episode) a bit more brazenly quirky, while also not losing touch with the story's core--which is the music.
    Read full review
  3. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Kevin Fallon
    Dec 23, 2014
    80
    Forget everything you assumed about the lives of classic musicians. Turns out, they’re not so boring. Mozart in the Jungle, then, is like Girls meets Amadeus.
    Read full review
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