Bradley Cooper’s remake of the classic film shows the heart-breaking reality of addiction and the highs and lows of the music industry.
4/5
A Star Is Born has been accompanying generations, having a total of not one, not two, but three remakes of the timeless 1937 original. One would think a story couldn’t possibly be told that many times but Bradley Cooper has found a way to perfectly mold it into our modern lives.
The film tells the story of Ally (played by Lady Gaga), a waitress and part-time singer and songwriter and Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), a declining rock star with a booze and drug addiction. When Jack (as he prefers to be called) stumbles out of a gig to go in search of more alcohol, he stops in a bar where he watches Ally perform a stunning rendition of La Vie en Rose. He immediately believes he found someone “who has something to say and a way say it” and takes Ally out for a drink. But for her, the music industry is dominated by men who say “you sound great but you don’t look so great” and, therefore, she could never achieve fame because of her unmarketable nose (a reoccurring joke throughout the film).
It’s hard to imagine the spectacularly famous Lady Gaga as someone who’s self-conscious and shy but her portrayal of Ally is so convincing, you’d never know that she’s one of the world’s biggest superstars. Her performance is beautifully credible and shows a refreshingly simple side to the extravagant Gaga we all know.
Cooper’s performance is equally, if not more, stunning. His talent completely shone through and it’s obvious to see that it took a lot of passion and effort to bring Jackson Maine to life. He’s the shining star of this film, with a performance that’ll leave you completely heart-broken.
This remake of a Star is Born truly is his masterpiece, as he co-wrote, directed and contributed towards the songs.
For a good while, Maine and Ally are each other’s salvation. Completely in love with Ally, Jackson gives her the opportunity to perform with him, making the public notice and adore her. In return, Ally is a source for his inspiration and the partner he’s been longing for.
But that perfection doesn’t last. Jack is on a destructive path with his addictions while Ally rises to fame with a record deal with pop manager Rez (Rafi Gavron), who is transforming her into someone else.
Watching Ally’s success and independence unsettles Jack. Partly because he’s jealous and also because it hurts him watching her becoming someone he believes she’s not. Ultimately, he doesn’t want to spoil her success, he’s happy that her dreams are coming true – he just doesn’t want to be alone.
At one point, he confronts Ally and, in a scene that’ll make you want to look away, embarrasses her in a prestigious award ceremony. But, somehow after all that, she still loves him. Their intimacy on screen is phenomenal, and you’d very much believe in their romantic relationship.
If you have watched the previous remakes of A Star is Born, you’ll pretty much guess what happens at the end. If you haven’t, be prepared for some uncontrollable tears.