A Star is Born - Review
Director: Bradley Cooper
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliot, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle
Having turned in many acclaimed performances with roles in films such as Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Sniper (2014), Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut with A Star is Born and enlists the support of pop sensation Lady Gaga who stars as Bradley's paramour in her feature film debut. It's an experience of firsts for Cooper and Gaga, but the story of A Star is Born is one that is in its fourth retelling.
Jackson Maine (Cooper), a veteran country/rock star who has become disenchanted with his career, discovers and falls in love with Ally (Gaga), a talented singer and musician working as a waitress with a set at a drag bar who has given up on any hope of stardom. Jackson takes her on tour with him and coaxes Ally into the spotlight but as Ally's star rises, Jackson's begins to plummet and his and Ally's relationship is tested by his own personal demons and addiction.
A Star is Born is a powerful piece of work in many respects but perhaps the biggest takeaway for the audience will be the heartbreakingly beautiful love story of Jackson and Ally. Jackson is disillusioned with his own fame and legacy, numbing himself with copious amounts of booze and pills before stepping on stage and facing a crow of adoring fans. Upon meeting Ally for the first time, he is almost instantly compelled by her astounding talent and unconventional beauty, but he is also drawn to her passion for performing and her ability to command an audience. In return, Ally sees Jackson for who he really is beyond the visage of public recognition and the two inspire each other musically and on stage; Jackson rediscovers his passion to perform through Ally and Ally unearths her courage to.
Their love for one another is the beating heart of the film, but while the title 'A Star is Born' refers to Ally's ascent and success, the film very much remains a study of Jackson Maine and his troubled psyche. Ally's career rise and mounting presence in the music industry is conveyed to us through tell rather than show as she is informed that she has secured a lucrative appearance as the musical guest on an episode of Saturday Night Live, and her other remarkable achievements are framed in a similar fashion.
However, the exploration of Jackson's descent is nuanced and worthy of the attention that Cooper pays to it. On the surface, it's Jackson's drug and alcohol addiction (born from his early adolescence and harmful relationship with his father) that sparks his downfall. But Ally's transition into pop music after signing a record deal that is met with great commercial appeal arguably represents the decline of Jackson's hierarchal status in the music industry. The days when music driven by soulful lyrical content reigned supreme are rapidly dwindling and pop music that favours catchy hooks and pulsating beats has taken its crown. Ally and Jackson's love isn't lessened by Ally's soaring stardom but it serves as a reminder to Jackson of the radical shift in the musical landscape that spits in the face of his core values.
Awards buzz already surrounds A Star is Born, particularly in regards to the film's lead performances. Cooper gifts himself with the best role of his career to date and has provided the same for Lady Gaga who is an absolute revelation in her first starring role. Her stunning vocal performance on songs like the instant classic "Shallow" and the arena-filling "Always Remember Us This Way" is matched by her tour de force portrayal of Ally. We knew that Gaga could perform, but A Star is Born is the perfect vehicle to capitalise on all of her skills and talent.
A deeply moving portrayal of love, fame and addiction featuring two stellar lead performances and a soaring soundtrack, Cooper has managed to craft a musical film that truly sings.
EB
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliot, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle
Having turned in many acclaimed performances with roles in films such as Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Sniper (2014), Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut with A Star is Born and enlists the support of pop sensation Lady Gaga who stars as Bradley's paramour in her feature film debut. It's an experience of firsts for Cooper and Gaga, but the story of A Star is Born is one that is in its fourth retelling.Jackson Maine (Cooper), a veteran country/rock star who has become disenchanted with his career, discovers and falls in love with Ally (Gaga), a talented singer and musician working as a waitress with a set at a drag bar who has given up on any hope of stardom. Jackson takes her on tour with him and coaxes Ally into the spotlight but as Ally's star rises, Jackson's begins to plummet and his and Ally's relationship is tested by his own personal demons and addiction.
A Star is Born is a powerful piece of work in many respects but perhaps the biggest takeaway for the audience will be the heartbreakingly beautiful love story of Jackson and Ally. Jackson is disillusioned with his own fame and legacy, numbing himself with copious amounts of booze and pills before stepping on stage and facing a crow of adoring fans. Upon meeting Ally for the first time, he is almost instantly compelled by her astounding talent and unconventional beauty, but he is also drawn to her passion for performing and her ability to command an audience. In return, Ally sees Jackson for who he really is beyond the visage of public recognition and the two inspire each other musically and on stage; Jackson rediscovers his passion to perform through Ally and Ally unearths her courage to.
Their love for one another is the beating heart of the film, but while the title 'A Star is Born' refers to Ally's ascent and success, the film very much remains a study of Jackson Maine and his troubled psyche. Ally's career rise and mounting presence in the music industry is conveyed to us through tell rather than show as she is informed that she has secured a lucrative appearance as the musical guest on an episode of Saturday Night Live, and her other remarkable achievements are framed in a similar fashion.
However, the exploration of Jackson's descent is nuanced and worthy of the attention that Cooper pays to it. On the surface, it's Jackson's drug and alcohol addiction (born from his early adolescence and harmful relationship with his father) that sparks his downfall. But Ally's transition into pop music after signing a record deal that is met with great commercial appeal arguably represents the decline of Jackson's hierarchal status in the music industry. The days when music driven by soulful lyrical content reigned supreme are rapidly dwindling and pop music that favours catchy hooks and pulsating beats has taken its crown. Ally and Jackson's love isn't lessened by Ally's soaring stardom but it serves as a reminder to Jackson of the radical shift in the musical landscape that spits in the face of his core values.
Awards buzz already surrounds A Star is Born, particularly in regards to the film's lead performances. Cooper gifts himself with the best role of his career to date and has provided the same for Lady Gaga who is an absolute revelation in her first starring role. Her stunning vocal performance on songs like the instant classic "Shallow" and the arena-filling "Always Remember Us This Way" is matched by her tour de force portrayal of Ally. We knew that Gaga could perform, but A Star is Born is the perfect vehicle to capitalise on all of her skills and talent.
A deeply moving portrayal of love, fame and addiction featuring two stellar lead performances and a soaring soundtrack, Cooper has managed to craft a musical film that truly sings.
EB
Comments
Post a Comment