“A Star is Born” | Jerry McCabe @ The Movies

There are remakes, and there are remakes! The first “A Star is Born” hit the big screen in 1937, eighty one years ago. It starred Janet Gaynor and Frederick March. It was nominated for numerous Oscars and the late great Dorothy Parker of Algonquin Hotel fame wrote the screenplay. The next iteration in 1954 featured the incomparable Judy Garland alongside James Mason, with the screenplay penned by Moss Hart (“You Can’t Take it With You”). Next came Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 1976. Here we are fourty two years later and Bradley Cooper takes on the huge risk to bring this story to the screen again, and he doubles down by casting Lady Gaga with him in the leading role. Although Gaga is not new to acting, having studied for ten years and appearing in a number of films, it was a big risk. Cooper hit a home run with this choice and her performance is a delight.

The storyline is pretty much the same as previous versions. Alcoholic star meets ordinary girl with talent, nurtures that talent and provides opportunities, falls in love and so on.

Sam Elliott plays Cooper’s much older half brother who looks out for him when he goes on frequent benders while touring with his mega successful band. Elliott is good as usual but his character is underutilized in the film. Cooper seems to channel Elliott throughout the film which is a bit strange. The real interplay in the film is the relationship between “Jack and Ally”, Cooper and Gaga. He deftly films their scenes and you get a sense that you’re eavesdropping on private conversations. Cooper delivers a low key, dry performance which fits his troubled character, but the movie belongs to Lady Gaga. She is natural, funny and has a strong screen presence throughout.

To say that this is a strong directorial debut would be a big understatement. Cooper will get much acclaim for this effort along with a fair amount of criticism I am sure. He overuses extreme closeups. You feel like you are crawling into a few scenes but in the scheme of the overall result it’s minor.

Now to the clincher….the film is of course all about a budding star and Gaga as “Ally” delivers moving performances, and her finale will surely make the Oscar “Best Song” nomination list.

This film will top the box office charts for awhile so you may have to wait in line and sit in a crowded theater but it’s well worth your time. Enjoy!