[star rating=”4″] A STAR IS BORN. Directed by Bradley Cooper, with Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Silverstein, Dave Chappelle and Sam Elliott.
JANE MAYNE reviews
What a surprise package! A Star is Born is an excellent debut for Cooper in the director’s seat, but it’s the pairing of Gaga and Cooper that glues this rock ‘n roll drama together. Featuring tantalising snippets of live stage gigs, the sweaty mega-concert feel reels you in as the usually elusive Gaga delivers with an intimate presence.
She impresses with a mesmerising magnetism, and brings all the weight of her superstar suss to the role. There’ll no doubt be many previously indifferent listeners who’ll seek out Lady Gaga’s discography to try to get a grip on her showbiz persona.
All the music in the film is original and was recorded live – apparently at festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury. The heat of the live show scenes are highlight sequences, so it’s a pity they weren’t longer! Maybe the DVD will have extras … here’s hoping …
See A Star is Born Trailer:
Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson first brought A Star is Born to life way back in 1976. The film then scooped $80 million at domestic box offices, and with the pull of the Gaga/Cooper star-power, the trajectory for this one should be epic.
As frazzled muso Jackson Maine, Cooper showcases his musical talent – a far cry from American Sniper, American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook. The playlist draws on material Lady Gaga co-wrote with Cooper, and artists such as Lukas Nelson, Jason Isbell and Mark Ronson.
The story hooks around a budding love drama where famous muso Jackson Maine (Cooper) accidentally meets struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga) while she’s performing at a drag bar. The two click and the tragedy unfolds.
Casting masterstroke
Who would have thought this ancient old classic would still have legs? Casting Lady Gaga really was a masterstroke. Surely now there needs to be a global concert tour? Just putting it out there …
Cooper’s production will definitely punctuate both rock and cinema history. My only complaint is the lingering scenes of the frazzled, hangdog pop icon endlessly slouching around staring at the floor became tiresome over 136 minutes of screenplay.
But ultimately the overall deduction is that we definitely want more of Lady Gaga on the big screen. As her first leading role in a major motion picture she rocks!
What: A Star is Born review
So who’s the stars: Lady Gaga Bradley Cooper
A Star is Born classification: 16 Dls
A Star is Born running time: 136 minutes
Year: A Star is Born 2018
Reviewer: Film Review Jane Mayne
WS
