A Star is Born

I was skeptical about this one. I never doubted Bradley Cooper's intentions or Lady Gaga's acting ability, but when a story has been told three times. It's hard to bring something new or interesting to the table. But what do I know? The movie is a smash with critics and audiences and  racked up a bunch of Oscar nominations. So let's dive in.

Cooper stars as Jackson "Jack" Maine, a famous country musician coasting from gig to gig in an alcoholic haze. That is until he discovers Ally, an aspiring singer whom Maine pursues and pushes to perform with him. But as Ally moves closer to stardom, Jack's demons threaten to torpedo them both.

I liked this way more than I thought I would. There aren't many variations to the story, the main beats are almost identical, but the small differences go a long way. My only main irritation was Cooper's speaking voice. I think they were going for constantly s***-faced, but I never found it endearing (which his character is supposed to be). So what are these new elements? So glad you asked.

Jackson's Damage

In previous versions our male protagonist is always an alcoholic. It's necessary baggage to make his attachment to an aspiring starlet a jolt to his life's blood and a threat. But the previous versions never dig deep into why. Usually he's jaded by show business. He's on his way out of the industry and is drinking said sorrow away.

I like this version better.

Jackson is still a world-weary drunk whose biggest blasts of creativity are behind him, but his baggage is less of a character flaw than it is a man beaten down by his life. Jackson's father was an abusive alcoholic, who got his son hooked young, and he's also losing his hearing. Thus his substance abuse is a clear coping mechanism to help him get through another day. It makes him more sympathetic that the sour bastard in the other versions.

Lady Gaga's Journey

Casting Lady Gaga as Ally is a mild stroke of genius, since her part feels like a commentary on the industry she's ingratiated in. In most movies it's a straight shot for the heroine. She gets discovered by the main man and quickly rises to prominence. The hero is supportive at first, but jealousy and bitterness begin to overtake him.

For Gaga, her character begins as a traditional singer-songwriter, but is pushed into the pop star mold. Which means her music takes a turn away from the emotional sincerity Jackson loved. It provides a great push and pull between Jackson and Ally that I'm sure resonates with Gaga's own experience (a classically trained musician playing catchy pop music). They make said case with a song that's almost a parody, but you could still imagine tearing up the top 40. We see Jackson's point, even though we know he's being a drunken a****** about it.

The fighting isn't about her getting famous, though it is a little bit, it's also about remaining true to her voice.

Visual Style

This movie feels like a dream and the visual style is the reason why. The action is filmed at an intimate level with a lot of intense close-ups (eyes, faces, and one-on-one interactions) even during packed arena concerts. It makes you feel like you're a part of the Maine posse.

The second technique is a stream-of-consciousness editing style that never gives the audience a moment to reset. Most movies ease the audience into new scenes with establishing shots or a quick music cue. An audio visual break for the audience to reset. A Star is Born has very few. Almost every shot begins with action or edits from one action to the next. 

It's a little relentless, but it makes the film feel like an extended dream or memory. It's less traditional, but effective.

The Music

The music in this movie is great on two fronts. First and foremost, it's well-produced quality song-writing that highlights each performer's strengths and uses varied dynamics for maximum impact (i.e. the Oscar-nominated track "The Shallow").

The second is how well each song demonstrates the performer's voice. Jackson is a clearly defined blues country-rock styled guy and Ally operates as an anthemic singer-songwriter who's pushed into pure pop. It's not easy to vacillate between this many genres and this movie pulls it off and will leave you with a melody or two in your head.

Verdict: A Fresh Take on A Familiar Tale

Like most remakes the small changes push A Star is Born into great territory. Check it out. 8/10