Review By Bill Curzon (UK)
I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening of A Star Is Born 8 days before its UK theatrical release, in fact I have seen the film twice already so I would have time to fully digest my thoughts. I will also be attending the IMAX showing of it next week when it’s brought back to UK cinemas for a one week IMAX run. The film follows a fading rock/country style musician (Bradley Cooper) helps a young singer (Lady Gaga) find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. I thought this film was magnificent, I was very impressed with what Bradley Cooper was able to put together for a first time director. He has shown he has considerable talent here and shows he is capable of making a fantastic film.
Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetter’s script for this film is great. It completely drew me in instantly with its excellent parts of dialogue and character development. I was invested in the main leads straight away due to how well written the script was. The narrative genuinely surprised me on where they were going with the characters and plot. Bradley Cooper gives the best performance of his career in my opinion. A really emotionally driven performance. His character Jackson Maine is an alcoholic and it’s extremely tough to watch how that affects his performances and relationship with his brother Bobby played by Sam Elliot. This made me really resonate with this character due to how good the performance from Bradley Cooper was.
Lady Gaga who I think is insanely talented and one of the best musical voices of our current times is incredible in this film. His voice is just amazing and she really knocked it out of the park with the dramatic scenes as well. The chemistry between her and Bradley Cooper is just mesmerising to watch on screen. A really powerful performance from both of them. However I think the most overlooked performance in this film is from Sam Elliot who plays the brother of Bradley Cooper’s character who helps him out on tours and get his gigs. He has a very hard time watching his brother suffer from alcoholism and it’s some of the best acting I’ve seen all year. There’s one scene in particular in a car which nearly drew me to tears on both of my viewings of the film. I believe he deserves awards attention for his performance. The rest of the cast were brilliant too.
The music was outstanding, one of the stand out tracks is Shallow which I believe will win best original song at the upcoming academy awards. Some of the best songs I’ve heard written for a film for a long time. What really stood out about the music performances that they were all performed live for the film which I find so impressive. In terms of issues the editing in certain scenes would sometimes feel abrupt and you wouldn’t know if time has passed then realise that is has when the scene begins. However on multiple viewings I didn’t find this an issue anymore due to this editing choice being used to show time passing in a more realistic way. This film is damn near perfect besides that.
The way in which you watch an artist taken in by the industry and turned into something she isn’t, and an another artist who has been in the industry for a long time and believes he’s losing his talent. It’s such a great commentary on the modern music industry can do to an artist, transform them into a product for everyone to just consume rather than someone who has something to say and it’s a really beautiful message for the audience.
A Star Is Born (2018) is an magnificent film that is both powerful and mesmerising. The performances are great, the music is outstanding and Bradley Cooper’s direction is something truly special. This is one of the best remakes ever made and one of the best films of 2018, it is a film that I believe needs to been seen by everyone.
Rating: 5/5
A star is born … Kam’s film review for the few!
A star is born, thought it was gonna be another yawn! Instead I was pleasantly surprised as it depicted the rise & demise of a new & fledgling old stars.
A rock star walks into a bar & is instantly smitten by a singing & dancing kitten, that ignites a relationship with bite & vigour. Together they become bigger as one is propelled into new solo heights, but she never forgets who changed her plight!
Some heartwarming songs are prolonged to disguise the ding dongs which are fueled by drugs & alcoholic deception! The rocky relationship is exposed as the cooperate element becomes the filament of their light that begins to blight! But true love sticks until its spiked by the commercialised divisive mist that has the wrong gist as it begins to weave & twist against the duo.
Acting is real as you begin to feel the pain & gain of the couple. Characters are evolved in a natural, yet progressive & effective manner. The true traits of the rockstar life style are exposed as souls are ripped out of the idols & replaced with alien personas to match the marketing glitz.
The cracks start to appear as the career owners begin to sneer & steer the marriage apart. The ending is what was feared as commercialisation peppered with globalisation succumbs the individualism that grew the original unique seed.
There is money-chase that leads ultimately to heartache. Emotions run high & eventually dry out to commercial clout, so what one sought isn’t wot it’s all about! The record companies turn the screw as the stars become the new aroma brew. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will bolster your anti music cooperative stance as by them life is never left to chance as you are made to dance to the tune they want to play!
Bradley & lady Gaga show real chemistry in their roles as they excel to gel in this believable storyline.
The movie is superb in its portrayal of a real life tail so sail into a cinema & nail your ticket.
Kam Copycat 2018
Amazing remake!!! Bradley is fantastic and Gaga sings. Best couple!!!!
Although I miss his brother playing on stage at the last song. Could dismiss the orchestra and bring only family/friends…
I don’t see why everyone is Raving and Crying over this Movie Star is Born starring Bradley Cooper and Stephanie (Lady Gaga). I just want to say first GAG and AUGH. I already have it for Barabara Streissand which I am sorry you just can’t top her with this lame I can sing movie. I watch the how much did that cost in advertising to get Ellen TV , Good Morning American and even People TV to say such great things about it. If you paid me… I still would be a bit critical.
I just can’t see Bradley Cooper in films, his only one I thought he did okay in was American Sniper with Clint Eastwood. But come on Clint has got it going on. I think what really even saved it was Sam Elliott. Everyone likes him. Especially my favorite with him in Road House. For Stephanie she needs to go back to American Horror on FX. Cause she still looks like a monster to me. She came in this industry as a freakshow and I just can’t seem to change my mind about her. It is like Marilyn Manson when he took his makeup off. It just seemed ridiculous. If you are born that way stay that way. Plus if I would give anyone an award in this film it would be the Dog. Charlie. Kudos to the Boy!
Rating: 1/5
It’s a real shame you have to be so horrible about someone’s looks. Ever thought she used her make up to cover her insecurities it’s just a shame bullies like you have to bring people that are insecure down. Them being the reason she’s probably insecure! I think she’s beautiful!
Awesome Movie! It will make you laugh, make you cry and make you ask Why!! Must see. The songs are so passionate! Bradley Cooper is outstanding!! So talented, who knew he could sing, write songs and play guitar???
Bring on the Oscars! Best Picture, Best Director- Bradley Cooper, Best Original Song– any of them!! Best Costume- the Lady Ga Ga transformation was indeed a lot of make up… also Bradley went from aging drunk to sexy as heck. Bravo Bradley! Lady Ga Ga can sing… acting was a stretch, but it’s a musical.
Dave Chappelle is in it… his role could have been larger, but it was memorable!
I believe it’s “We’re far from the shallow now” and not “We fall from the shallow now”…
At least that’s what I heard and it’s what Billboard quotes as the lyrics to “shallow”…
Thanks for pointing out the error. We’ve updated it to show the correct words. If you notice anymore mistakes, please do let us know as we always appreciate it.
I seen the movie last night and I didn’t hear the line that Jacks friend Noodle says “this is the first time I’m worried about you” Did I miss it or did they leave that line out in the movie?