Anthony's Film Review - A Star Is Born (2018)

This romantic musical drama features two stars talented in both acting and music...

As of 2018, there are not two or three, but FOUR versions of A Star Is Born. According to the Internet Movie Database, there is the original 1937 classic with Fredric March and Janet Gaynor, the 1954 remake with James Mason and Judy Garland, the 1976 remake with Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand, and the 2018 remake with Bradley Cooper and pop singer Lady Gaga. I mention this not because I am going to do an in-depth comparison of the 2018 version with any of the others. Rather, I bring it up to note how A Star Is Born seems to have a timeless quality and a relevance to any time period. The story is the same: a young woman dreams of going into show business and does so with the help of a man who has been in the business but now struggles with alcoholism. On the surface, the only major differences across all four movies are the decade they're set in and the fact that the 1937 version involves an aspiring actress while the three remakes are about aspiring female singers.

The more I think about it, the more I believe that the premise appeals across generations because it presents two characters with contrasting perspectives. One is the young lady who has dreams of stardom but is nervous about it. The other is the older man who has achieved stardom but has personal struggles, namely alcoholism, brought out by being in show business. What brings the character together, of course, is love, and any person can appreciate a story about that. Really, it's all about one person pursing something and another being a mentor. It happens in any time period, including the 21st century characterized by the Internet, technology, and social media.

In this 2018 film, Bradley Cooper plays a musician named Jackson Maine. The first scene features the talented Cooper showcasing the newer talent of music. I have to say that I am impressed by his musical skills, such that I wouldn't mind going to a Bradley Cooper music concert. As I saw him play music, I couldn't help but think that I was in for a real treat, with great music and great acting from the same talented guy. As the film proceeds, it reveals that the character is also an alcoholic and drug addict, despite how many fans adore Jackson Maine.

In the other introductory scene, Lady Gaga plays a young woman named Ally. She works at a restaurant, but her real passion is songwriting and singing. One night, she goes to a drag queen bar to perform there. There's really nothing about her singing that would not get the attention of a record producer. But as she soon reveals, she is self-conscious about her looks, knowing that music artists must also have an attractive appearance, not just a great singing voice. You can tell she dreams of being a singer, but holds herself back out of fear of what others think.

As with many love stories, the coupling in this movie forms by chance. Jackson randomly visits the drag queen bar where Ally is singing. That's when he gets his first glimpse of her. And because of his fame, he is invited into her dressing room and the two start a conversation. As they talk, there are signs of a likely match made in heaven. They both like music. He likes her enough to help her, and she has enough musical ambition to grab the opportunity. After a while, they perform their first on-stage duet, and the crowd erupts in cheers. It may be a sign that things are looking up for both of them.

The driving force behind any story, including a romantic one, is conflict. The plot stays interesting because there are different kinds of conflict that occur. First, the conflict comes from Ally's nervousness about being seen by so many in the public. Later, it comes from Jackson's substance abuse, Ally's big break keeping the two apart, and even the relationship between Jackson and his older brother. As these events occur, different sides of the character come out, and you wonder what will happen to the love connecting them. One part of you says it will not shatter, but another worries that it will. How it all ends is something that I won't reveal, other than the fact that it's emotional.

The 2018 remake of A Star Is Born is also Bradley Cooper's directorial debut. With the film in his hands, the story is told in a straightforward yet engaging fashion. Plus, the emotional connection to the film is already at a high level from the start and stays that way until the end of the final scene. As an actor, I see no flaws in his performance. He portrays Jackson Maine as a man whose love for Ally is endless and whose personal struggles also influence his actions even if they are buried fairly deep inside him. A character who is both sympathetic and imperfect is one that can win the audience over. And as a musician, Cooper already demonstrates a great new talent.

Lady Gaga also demonstrates a great new talent, showcasing her ability to act as well as sing. As Ally, she plays a realistic character who goes through life as usual while forcing herself to take major steps toward big opportunities presented right in front of her. I also appreciate that Ally isn't a vain character, even as she makes the leap into massive stardom. As I watched the film, I couldn't help but think that this was the real Lady Gaga I was seeing. Since the start of her career, Gaga has been known for images of flamboyant makeup and costumes alongside her catchy music. To see her in this movie playing a more down-to-earth normal-looking person was refreshing. Not once did the movie remind me of Lady Gaga's hit songs, like "Just Dance," "Poker Face," "Alejandro," "Paparazzi," and "Applause." Instead, I was treated to new music from the real person behind Lady Gaga (whose real name, by the way, for any of you serious about getting to know the real lady, is Stefani Germanotta).

This was a very good movie, I must say. It's not one of those movies that starts out good and gradually gets better towards an awesome climax. It's simply great from the start and stays that way all the way through. It's also a simple tale about the ups and downs of life without being anywhere near complicated. Most importantly, this is a vehicle for two great stars, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, to show off new artistic talents. The title of this film refers not only to the principal fictional female character, but also to the two actor-singers portraying the lead characters. What we have are two stars who are born. Or rather, reborn.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about A Star Is Born, visit the Internet Movie Database.