Cooper & Gaga-A True Star Is Born

Kaleidoscope returns with its latest review of Warner Bros. & Live Nation Entertainment’s production of “A Star Is Born”.  Co-written, produced, & directed by Bradley Cooper, the movie stars Lady Gaga, Cooper, Sam Elliott, Andrew ‘Dice’ Clay, Dave Chappelle, Anthony Ramos, & Rafi Gavron.  Rated ‘R’, it has a running time of 2 hr., 16 min. 

Jackson Main (Cooper) is a country/rock star who is at the top with sold-out concerts; however, he has a drinking problem that is increasing in severity despite the efforts of his older brother Bobby (Elliott) who tries to keep Jackson in line.  After a concert at the film’s beginning, he goes out with his driver looking for a bar to stop for a drink.  They come upon one; altho there is a line to get in, Jackson is recognized & allowed to enter.  He realizes that this is a drag bar, but his desire for a drink overcomes his reluctance.  As he autographs one performer’s fake breasts, he is approached by Ramon (Ramos) who encourages Jackson to listen to his friend, Ally (Gaga), sing.  Jackson agrees to listen.  Ally comes out & sings Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose”.  Jackson is amazed at Ally’s singing ability & goes backstage to talk to her.  While talking, Ally admits that she has never pursued a professional career because people have told her that her nose is too big.  Jackson, however, tells her that he finds her nose attractive.  He also asks if she writes songs, & she replies that she does.  After singing together awhile, he drops her off at her house where she lives with her dad Lorenzo (Clay) who runs a driving service.  Jackson asks Ally to come to his concert that night.  With Lorenzo’s encouragement, she agrees to go with Ramon.  The latter are allowed to watch from the edge of the stage.  During the show, Jackson tells the crowd about Ally & encourages her to come onstage & sing.  Reluctantly, she agrees to sing with him.  The crowd loves her performance, & she becomes a media sensation.  Acts II & III show the arc of their careers as hers rises, & his declines. 

This is the 4th film iteration after 1937’s with Janet Gaynor & Fredric March; 1954’s with Judy Garland & James Mason; & 1976’s with Barbra Streisand & Kris Kristofferson.  It is a timeless tale that can easily be adapted for succeeding generations.  Cooper’s initial effort is directed with a sure hand.  He demonstrates a natural ability to handle his actors to elicit superior performances; his scene composition is acute & demonstrates expository cues, I. e.: his focus on the performers during the concert scenes rather than spending too much time on audience reaction; & his pacing which stays at a high level with some minor exceptions in the 3rd act.  The script by Eric Roth, Will Fetters, & Cooper (based on Moss Hart’s 1954 and John Dunne’s, Fran Pierson’s, & Joan Didion’s 1976 versions) exhibits great character studies of not only the main characters of Cooper & Gaga but also develops depth with the supporting roles of Elliott, Clay, & Chappelle (who plays Jackson’s best friend).  The screenplay believably updates the story for a modern audience while retaining the originals’ main structure.  The actors are nothing less than superb; I can envision 5 nominations at Oscar time:  Best Actress for Gaga as she demonstrates that the depth of her acting (in her 1st screen effort) is more than equal to her excellent songwriting & singing abilities.  I believe that we have seen A Film Star Born here that will endure.  She shines in her every screen moment; Best Actor for Cooper who gives a multilayered performance as the haunted singer who tries vainly to cope with the demons within while boosting the career of the young chanteuse whose rising star will eclipse his fading one; Best Supporting Actor for Elliott who gives his patented, buttressing persona to a role that he was born to play.  He gives a nuanced performance during his limited screen time; Best Supporting Actor to the surprising Clay who is so immersed in his character that he sheds his well-known ‘schtick’ & completely become Ally’s father—a man who relives his missed opportunities & vicariously lives thru his daughter’s success, supporting her in every way.  He is a true revelation; Best Supporting Actor for Dave Chappell who also loses his familiar persona to become the sympathetic & understanding best friend who is there for Jackson but does not make excuses for him.  Matthew Labatique’s expressive cinematography coupled with Jay Cassidy’s fine editing carry the film through its seesaw journey.  The songs on the soundtrack—written by Gaga, Mark Ronson, Diane Warren, & a host of other veterans, including newbie Cooper—range from excellent to very good & demonstrate a wide range of musical styles. 

I give “A Star Is Born” 5 out of 5 nuggets.  This is a superb dramatic, comedic, & musical effort that shines in every respect.  If you have not done so already, head to your local cineplex to witness not only “A Star Is Born” but also the careers of director Cooper & leading lady Gaga being born!