There have now been 4 adaptations of the much-loved original 1937 musical drama A Star is Born, with the last being in 1976 starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.
So, with the pressure being on to live up to the previous films, A Star is Born 2018 doesn’t disappoint in updating the plot for a modern-day audience.
Bradley Cooper directs and stars in the movie as the washed-up country singer Jackson Maine. He meets a performer in a club named Ally (Lady Gaga) and they instantly connect as he sees her talent and potential shine through. Throughout the film we see their intense relationship unfold as Jackson struggles to deal with Ally’s rising stardom, his own status in the industry and his demons.
The performances in this film are stellar, with Lady Gaga standing out through her vocal talent and performance as the long-suffering Ally, showing her potential as an actress as well as a performer. Additionally, the chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is arguably one of the best things about the movie.
Another standout performance comes from supporting actor, Sam Elliot who plays Jackson’s older brother and manager Bobby. You can feel the desperation from the characters for Jackson to change, and the heartbreak they feel when things go wrong, showing how emotionally impactful this film can be at times. One powerful scene in particular stands out the most for this mid-way through the film.
The soundtrack is packed full of emotive performances from Gaga, and with significant help from Cooper. Highlights include the tracks, Shallow and the heart-breaking: I’ll Never Love Again. There’s no surprise on the success of the soundtrack, with the album topping the Billboard 200 and selling over 200,000 units in its debut week.
It could be argued that some scenes were slightly rushed and skimmed over, but this could have been done to portray the strong and volatile nature of Jackson and Ally’s relationship, which is one of the main aspects of the movie. Though some themes such as the impact of stardom and the pressures that both protagonists face from the media could have been explored a little further.
In conclusion, is this film worth a watch? Absolutely. This is a film that you won’t forget in a hurry and makes you feel a variety of emotions for the characters as the movie progresses, this is due to the fantastic performances of the cast and the intense plot that will leave you reeling days after you’ve finished it. A Star is Born is a recommended watch, just be prepared for the emotion you’ll almost certainly feel. Four out of five stars.