I'm going to go on record and say that I have not seen the previous versions of A Star is Born. I know that there are two earlier versions both starring Judy Garland in 1954 and later, Barbra Streisand, in 1976. But, movies about music or its creative process can go in different directions being realistic, inspiring or plain corny, not knowing what goes behind-the-scenes of the music industry. When I was reading what was going on behind the production, Lady Gaga took the role of co-lead because she was annoyed as to how the actors were not lip-synching properly or the actors were not singing. So, she wanted to take it up a notch in terms of the musical elements of the film and make it as realistic as possible. But, even though if it is not the most original story ever told, in addition to Gaga's voice talent, the movie is as fearless and passionate, capturing both the appealing chemistry of the main couple and the love story surrounding both themselves and their love of music as ever before.
Singer-songwriter Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) performs at sold-out concerts at becomes a big hit with the crowd. However, he hides his alcoholism from the public. His older brother, Bobby (Sam Elliott), manages and looks after him, telling him to slow down with his drinking habits and other things. Later, after a show, Jackson goes to a bar to have a drink and witnesses a young singer-songwriter named Ally (Lady Gaga), singing with such amazing range, who is a waitress but also moonlights as a singer at a drag bar. Afterwards, they have a drink together and Ally reveals that she has never pursued a professional singing career due to her long nose. Jackson does not care as he admits he finds her attractive and they share writing and singing songs together.
Ally lives with her widower father, Lorenzo (Andrew Dice Clay), who runs a driving service with his friends. While there, Jackson asks Ally to come to his show tonight, and even though she initially refuses, she changes her mind to come to the show with her friend, Ramon (Anthony Ramos). Jackson notices her and asks Ally to sing on stage with him where she performs a hit song called "Shallow", and she is praised on social media.
Jackson and Ally slowly form a relationship and they also perform at several concerts together. However, Jackson's alcoholic habits come back to haunt him and as Bobby helps him out, he warns Ally to be careful around him. Later, as Ally gets big with her fame and gets a record contract with a producer, Jackson proposes to Ally and get married immediately that day.
I was thoroughly surprised as to how involved I was with the story and not a minute was wasted as you go on a journey on not just one person's rise to stardom but also a fantastic love story. The love story does not feel melodramatic or corny, but it is as realistic as it gets as you mix in fame and also one's troubles to supposedly hurt the relationship along the way. Not every relationship is sunshine and rainbows, but if a story involving a couple does not quite execute, then the believability is gone and you do not frankly care. And, I have not rooted as much on a couple since last year's The Big Sick, where you want them to get together, however you knew how the story would end because they are together in life. But, I always say this: that it is about the journey more than the destination. But, in this case and also in The Big Sick, they both pay off tremendously.
I knew that Lady Gaga was going to be enchanting in the singing department and I was not initially a fan of hers in the beginning of her career, but she grew on me with her music later on. Nevertheless, she blossoms with youthful innocence, radiance, vulnerability and passion that her character transcends your initial emotion towards the movie to another level. She will be sky-rocketing to a number of offers for roles after her tremendous performance and she will get recognition this awards season. Equally as tremendous is Bradley Cooper's portrayal of a soulful, good-natured man that is graceful towards Lady Gaga's character and the audience that you are also hurt by his demons you see on-screen. You want to tell his character that his alcoholic habits should stop. In the second half, he traverses like an old wound that you can feel the self-inflicted pain upon himself and then later upon Gaga's character. It is one of Bradley Cooper's best performances. Also, fantastic is Sam Elliott that I'm sure he will get overlooked for recognition and also surprising is Andrew Dice Clay as Gaga's father and Dave Chappelle as a good small role.
Yeah, clearly, this is one of the best movies of the year as Cooper's direction channels in the passion and the character's soul with definition and tranquility in those relaxed scenes between Cooper and Gaga but in the concert scenes, it is like the experience catches up to you especially in the theater like you are playing in the band with them, with all the lights and near ear-splitting sound from the speakers in the theater. Jay Cassidy's editing is beautifully done and Matthew Libatique's cinematography captures the gloomy yet charismatic tone of the music setting and the rollercoaster love story. Even though there is an important message about love, A Star is Born re-invigorates the romantic drama genre mixed with a musical fantasy with a realistic truth underneath the heartwarming chemistry by Gaga and Cooper. This is an enchanting film for this generation.
****
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