There’s a scene early
into Bradley Cooper’s crowd-pleaser that purifies what it’s really about and
why it will interest audiences till the ending. Cooper’s Jackson Maine, an
alternative-country singer with a little heavier guitar, is getting drunk in a
drag club after a show when he meets pop artist Lady Gaga’s Ally. Having worked
at the club before, and now waitressing somewhere else, she’s come back to sing
a song, a surprising version of La Vie en Rose. Brain Tallerico said
in his review, “She sashays her way down the bar and ends up locking eyes with
Maine as her vocals continue to rise.” He is speechless by her talent, but
there’s something deeper in that first sight, something inexpressible. Not long
after, while Ally is getting ready to leave with Maine to have another drink, he
plays a heartfelt song of his own for the club owner, and she comes out as he’s
finishing, looking as his vocals goes emotionally deep. These are two people
who fall in love with each other’s talent as much as anything else, inspired by
one another in a way that singers often are. This story has been told so many
times in the past, and influenced other similar romances, but Cooper and Gaga
find a way to make this look bright and new. You can see it in their eyes.
Before that first night
is done, Jackson has realized the power of Ally’s talent, even hearing her sing
part of a song she wrote that will eventually become a huge hit for both of
them. These beginning parts of “A Star is Born,” especially the first where
Ally sings in front of a Maine audience, are amazing. Tallerico said, “There’s
an unforced chemistry between Cooper and Lady Gaga that makes these characters
easy to root for, and I’ll admit to a natural affinity for stories of true
talent finally coming out of the shadows. The real Gaga knows a thing or two
about how one rises from waitress to superstar, and she nails the blend of
apprehension and confidence that this kind of thing takes.” Obviously, Ally is
nervous to go on stage or write songs, but she also feels she’s really darn good
at it. Tallerico described, “She’s no mere wallflower watered by a confident
man. She’s a force of nature who Jackson gives the encouragement to do her
thing.”
As you could tell, the
story of every version of “A Star is Born” is basically the same where it’s
about one star rising while another falls. The first time we see Jackson, he’s
doing drugs, and he’s badly alcoholic. Tallerico said, “He allows his demons
even more space as he watches his partner achieve massive fame with a form of
pop that he finds shallow.” Cooper does some of the best work of his career as
the type of man who’s always restless. A friend played by Dave Chappelle tries
to tell him that every man needs to eventually settle down and stay somewhere instead
of keep moving on again, but Jackson can’t keep still. He’s one of those
addicts who give any excuse to mess things up. Tallerico described, “He is as
self-sabotaging as he is talented, but Cooper avoids just enough of the clichés
of the "alcoholism movie" to keep him real. It’s an excellent
performance, one that balances Gaga’s in fascinating ways. As she becomes more
of a pop legend and he maintains his whiskey-drinking aesthetic, it’s easy to
see them pulling apart but the performers keep us believing that these people
care about and even need each other.” Sometimes the same need that makes us
rise can eventually make us fall.
“A Star is Born” gets
lost a little in the second half as Ally becomes the popular one. Tallerico
said, “Some of the pop fame material doesn’t work, especially a misjudged “SNL”
musical performance, as it seems to almost treat what Ally (and even Gaga herself
in the real world) do a bit too superficially. The movie seems to agree too
easily with Jackson’s belief that pop is disposable. It isn’t always. And the
triangle that forms between Ally, Jackson, and Ally’s manager is the most
clichéd and least effective aspect of the film.” Thankfully, Cooper the
director gets back on track in the end, bringing his first directing film to have
an emotional ending that despite who
hasn’t seen the previous versions will be able to guess what’s coming, but be
inspired with nonetheless.
Tallerico noted, “Cynics
may be tempted to rip apart “A Star is Born” but there’s just too much that’s
been done right here for them to sound legit. (A friend joked, “It’s a musical
even angry people can like.”) It's about the people.” What is common with
actors who become directors, Cooper knows how to direct his cast, getting great
work from Gaga, Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, Michael Harney, Rafi Gavron,
Rebecca Field, Shangela Laquifa Wadley, William Belli, Greg Grunbert, Ron
Rifkin, comedian Eddie Griffin and Luenell. Expect cameos from Marlon Williams,
Brandi Carlile, Halsey, Alec Baldwin and Don Roy King. Tallerico noted, “And
the film is anchored by its heart-baring music—Cooper wisely allows Gaga to
sing complete songs more than once, while also holding his own as a singer
himself.” A lot of people go to the movies for the characters, people they can
feel like they know and maybe even care about, and “A Star is Born” gives two
of the most memorable this year. It’s a film that believes in the power of a
song to attract the listener in a way that can change their lives. This will be
a great movie for those who believe in that.
I can’t recall the last
time I saw a musical in the theaters, but this one is definitely not one to
miss. If it’s still playing in a theater near you, don’t miss your chance to go
see it because you will fall in love with it. Surprisingly, it’s one of the
best movies I have seen this year, and definitely one that I wouldn’t say I don’t
want to see again. Also, for the first time in a while, I was the only one watching it in the theater. I’m not a fan of Lady Gaga’s music, but she was amazing in
this movie. I might even think about getting the soundtrack to this movie
because I just loved the songs.
Stay tuned later today
when I review the “Prometheus” sequel.
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