A Star Is Born (R)

The 2018 release of “A Star Is Born” marks the fourth time that this movie has been made, yet the story comes across as earnest and fresh. This is largely due to the music and acting performances by Lady Gaga, in her acting debut as rising pop star Ally, and by Bradley Cooper, who plays washed-up alt. country singer Jackson Maine. Though the story may be familiar (an aspiring artist rises in fame with help from a fading star), Cooper, in his directorial debut, places the music as the centrepiece of the film. Now that Warner Bros. has officially submitted three songs to the Academy for ‘Best Original Song,’ it seems like this was a wise choice.

Cooper and Gaga both provide solid performances for the most part – Cooper plays a convincing drunk and Gaga is comfortable in front of the camera; she comes across as an actress rather than just a pop star making a cameo in a music movie. However, I believe that Sam Elliot, in a supporting role as Maine’s brother and band manager, delivers some of the best acting of the film. His ability to convey subtle emotion is something Cooper and Gaga both strive for, but do not always hit. Their acting overall is strong, but the weaker moments affect the story, particularly in scenes intended to be serious. When I watched this in the theatre, a few members of the audience were laughing during what was meant to be a deep, emotional scene between Maine and Ally. That is not a good sign. 

For Cooper’s directorial debut, he plays it safe for the most part, telling the story fairly by the numbers and not taking too many risks in terms of cinematography or filming. That being said, there are a few sequences that really stand out. One sequence that really impressed me comes at the climax of the movie in a scene featuring Cooper’s character. I won’t reveal the details of the scene to keep this review spoiler-free, but Cooper makes a few bold directing choices that really enhance the scene, including shooting through windows of a garage and only showing the actor from the waist-down to hint at what is going on rather than showing it directly. This sequence is followed by a slow zoom into a house that is lit by police lights, which may be my favourite shot in the entire movie. These moments suggest that Cooper may have real potential as a director; unfortunately, these moments are few and far between. 

However, this is not a movie centred on plot, cinematography, or acting; this film is about the music and the music does not disappoint. Cooper’s singing lessons definitely paid off, as he provides a number of excellent vocal performances (many of which were performed live in front of real audiences), but it is Lady Gaga who really shines here – placing her in a “girl-next-door” role showcases her powerful vocal range. I believe that all viewers will walk away with a deeper respect for Lady Gaga’s musical ability and, judging by how the soundtrack for “A Star Is Born” sat at No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart for three consecutive weeks, odds are looking good for a ‘Best Original Song’ Oscar.

All in all, though the film may have its weaknesses, it provides a bittersweet story, solid acting, a few standout scenes, and phenomenal music. Assuming most viewers will go for the dramatic story and the music, they will not be disappointed.