Star is Born (A)
- Director: Bradley Cooper
- Writer: Robert Carson; Bradley Cooper
- Producer: Bradley Cooper; Clint Eastwood
CGiii Comment
It would seem that [almost] every generation has to have their version of this familiar tale...
It's been 42 years since the last resurrection...tough act to follow, Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson...but, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper certainly do a fine job...especially the lady...here, she's less gaga more middle-of-the-road...perhaps, not exactly what her little monsters wanted nor expected! It has to be said, this 'Star is Born' has a peculiar demographic...would it be fair to say: Middle-aged!?! Or...more mature? Whatever...it still made a ton at the Box Office and widened Ms Gaga's fanbase...exponentially! Now, she has 'older monsters' in her bosom!
Evergreen won the Oscar [for Babs]...and, Shallow received the same accolade...although Shallow is a great song, it's not the best! Judy [Garland] was nominated for [the grammatically dubious]The Man that Got Away...alas, poor Jude didn't get her mitts on the trophy!
So...the Lady is in good company. And, Bradley Cooper brought something new to the table...drag queens! After a strong start [with the Drag Queens], the story goes into the familiar rags-to-riches, riches-to-rags...it's all very...unsurprising!
The 'starry' transition has a few wobbly [stylistic] moments...quite surprising, considering Lady Gaga's [consistent] striking imagery...obviously, her input wasn't required in the wardrobe & hair departments! Ooops!
Without dispute, this is a mighty fine film...it's just seems to be...a little bit lost in itself, in time, in style, in genre. We know it's not the Lady Gaga story...but, perhaps, it should have been a smidgen more so...this star needed more of her star quality, her essence. She is a performer who dishes out surprises with delicious gay abandon...Bradley Cooper should have grabbed at everything without reserve...then, this 'Star is Born' would not have been so reserved!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
In this new take on the tragic love story, he plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers—and falls in love with—struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer... until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
Cast & Characters
Bradley Cooper as Jackson Maine;
Lady Gaga as Ally;
Sam Elliott as Bobby;
Andrew Dice Clay as Lorenzo;
Rebecca Field as Gail;
Michael D. Roberts as Matty