A Star is Born (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'A Star Is Born' (actor Bradley Cooper's directorial debut) is the 4th(!) big-screen take on a tragic love story centered around the hazards of drinking, drugging & show business. Those earlier versions starred Fredric March & Gloria Gaynor (1937), James Mason & Judy Garland (1954), and Kris Kristofferson & Barbra Streisand. Having seen all 4 now, I can say that, while I believe the iconic Judy Garland version to be the best, I was highly impressed by this contemporary version. The story is tried & true. When grizzled Southern Rock star Jackson Maine (Cooper) stumbles into a drag bar looking for another drink, he meets food caterer-by-day/torch singer-by-night Ally (pop star Lady Gaga) as she belts out a rousing version of "La Vie en Rose" -- he's instantly mesmerized by her, and vice-versa {a wonderful meet-cute that occurs when they lock eyes at the bar}.
They connect personally & professionally. Shy Ally knows she has talent - as does her doting father, played by Andrew Dice Clay - but she laments a music industry that told her she wouldn't amount to anything because of her nose. What follows is a sensational moment when Jackson coaxes reluctant Ally to come onstage with him during a concert to sing "Shallow", a song she'd recently written, but never had a platform to show it to the world -- electric scene. Soon enough, Ally is writing, touring & performing with habitually drunk Jackson. They love each other. He lends generosity, support & belief. And in no time, her solo career is launched into superstardom. But as her star rises, Jackson's dims and, a falling-out with the only family member he has - his loving older brother/tour manager, Bobby (Sam Elliott) - further plunges him into an abyss of personal demons, substance abuse & depression.
Bradley Cooper's thoughtful, passionate directorial debut offers beautiful acting & wonderful cinematic expression. And Cooper tackles his film with such immersion & commitment: producing, directing, acting, co-writing, & even writing a few songs, here -- for whatever reason, this story obviously means a hell of a lot to him. Never a huge Bradley Cooper fan before, I can now say that Jackson is my favorite performance of his. As Jackson, he's laconic, authentic, nails the perpetually-drunk persona, sings SO well (his country-fried voice is a revelation, here), & nails the quieter, devastating dramatic moments. He even does a great vocal impersonation of co-star Sam Elliott (this is intentional & explained in the film).
In Lady Gaga, Cooper found the perfect co-star to play Ally, a struggling talent with a huge voice, but not much confidence. Sure, Gaga knocks it out of the park vocally ... but she surprised me with her vulnerability & the easy off-the-cuff nature of her portrayal. Her Ally felt lived-in. And it's interesting to watch how Gaga handles Ally's evolution from put-upon working girl to wild success; complete with a visual transformation (dyed hair, outrageous outfits) that mirrors Gaga's OWN stage persona. She & Cooper exhibit a primal, palpable chemistry. And if nothing else, the film works because we believe in them & have a rooting interest in their star-crossed, doomed romance.
And I loved Sam Elliott as Jackson's much-older brother, Bobby. Tasked with constantly caring for his alcohol-addicted younger brother, Bobby is integral to Jack's survival -- until Ally enters his life. Elliott doesn't have much screen time, but when he & Cooper share a scene, watch out -- in small, fleeting moments, they perfectly convey a lifetime of love, respect, pain & heartache. Small roles played by drag queens Shangela & Willam added dimension to Ally. I also dug Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay & Clay's fellow limo driver buddies. All of these performers bring added heart, authenticity and/or needed levity to more than a few scenes.
The music in this film is fantastic. There are many memorable songs, but I can only assume that "Shallow" & "I'll Never Love Again" {which closes the movie, and gives Ally a powerful, emotional "I Will Always Love You" moment} are the songs that will resonate. The music in this film evokes the highs & lows of Jackson & Ally's relationship, while also revealing the difficulty of staying true to your artistic voice in an era when EVERYTHING can be reduced to diluted, shrill marketability. Now, while there is nothing negligible about the midsection of the film, I'd say that the bookends are the most visceral & engaging segments. I admired a lot in 'A Star is Born'. And the performances, amazing sound design, stellar craft, and meat-&-potatoes melodrama are all executed with sureness by Bradley Cooper at the helm.
They connect personally & professionally. Shy Ally knows she has talent - as does her doting father, played by Andrew Dice Clay - but she laments a music industry that told her she wouldn't amount to anything because of her nose. What follows is a sensational moment when Jackson coaxes reluctant Ally to come onstage with him during a concert to sing "Shallow", a song she'd recently written, but never had a platform to show it to the world -- electric scene. Soon enough, Ally is writing, touring & performing with habitually drunk Jackson. They love each other. He lends generosity, support & belief. And in no time, her solo career is launched into superstardom. But as her star rises, Jackson's dims and, a falling-out with the only family member he has - his loving older brother/tour manager, Bobby (Sam Elliott) - further plunges him into an abyss of personal demons, substance abuse & depression.
Bradley Cooper's thoughtful, passionate directorial debut offers beautiful acting & wonderful cinematic expression. And Cooper tackles his film with such immersion & commitment: producing, directing, acting, co-writing, & even writing a few songs, here -- for whatever reason, this story obviously means a hell of a lot to him. Never a huge Bradley Cooper fan before, I can now say that Jackson is my favorite performance of his. As Jackson, he's laconic, authentic, nails the perpetually-drunk persona, sings SO well (his country-fried voice is a revelation, here), & nails the quieter, devastating dramatic moments. He even does a great vocal impersonation of co-star Sam Elliott (this is intentional & explained in the film).
In Lady Gaga, Cooper found the perfect co-star to play Ally, a struggling talent with a huge voice, but not much confidence. Sure, Gaga knocks it out of the park vocally ... but she surprised me with her vulnerability & the easy off-the-cuff nature of her portrayal. Her Ally felt lived-in. And it's interesting to watch how Gaga handles Ally's evolution from put-upon working girl to wild success; complete with a visual transformation (dyed hair, outrageous outfits) that mirrors Gaga's OWN stage persona. She & Cooper exhibit a primal, palpable chemistry. And if nothing else, the film works because we believe in them & have a rooting interest in their star-crossed, doomed romance.
And I loved Sam Elliott as Jackson's much-older brother, Bobby. Tasked with constantly caring for his alcohol-addicted younger brother, Bobby is integral to Jack's survival -- until Ally enters his life. Elliott doesn't have much screen time, but when he & Cooper share a scene, watch out -- in small, fleeting moments, they perfectly convey a lifetime of love, respect, pain & heartache. Small roles played by drag queens Shangela & Willam added dimension to Ally. I also dug Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay & Clay's fellow limo driver buddies. All of these performers bring added heart, authenticity and/or needed levity to more than a few scenes.
The music in this film is fantastic. There are many memorable songs, but I can only assume that "Shallow" & "I'll Never Love Again" {which closes the movie, and gives Ally a powerful, emotional "I Will Always Love You" moment} are the songs that will resonate. The music in this film evokes the highs & lows of Jackson & Ally's relationship, while also revealing the difficulty of staying true to your artistic voice in an era when EVERYTHING can be reduced to diluted, shrill marketability. Now, while there is nothing negligible about the midsection of the film, I'd say that the bookends are the most visceral & engaging segments. I admired a lot in 'A Star is Born'. And the performances, amazing sound design, stellar craft, and meat-&-potatoes melodrama are all executed with sureness by Bradley Cooper at the helm.