This review is a bit late-coming but having had low expectations for top contenders at the Oscars, I can tell you that this film is worthy of a look. I have not watched other prime candidates this season, but damn, does this film have me happy about the fact that Hollywood can still make good films.
I have not kept up with the output in Hollywood recently. Hollywood still does a fantastic job telling good stories if you just look just a bit harder than the average person. I'm not even aware of all the films that were contenders this year for awards. That said, I think "A Star is Born" is a fantastic film and worthy of you spending 2 hours of your time watching it, rather than say, turning on Netflix and watching a binge-worthy TV show. Highlights: first film directed by Bradley Cooper (think he did a fantastic job, and I would have never guessed he directed, he did top-notch work), Lady Gaga again demonstrates her acting chops (although this is the first role I've seen her acting in anything), stunning cinematography which was unexpected, and a plot that is unflinchingly honest about the struggles of fame in the entertainment industry (namely, the issue of "selling out", authenticity, and drugs and alcohol). I had no clue about the story arc (never bothered to watch a trailer) this film was going to take, but I say, "wow". A bit dark, but props to Cooper et al for such an honest film. And surprisingly a remake-- which was well-done unlike many others in Hollywood.
Let's start with the elephant in the room: Lady Gaga is acting. Again. She was perfect for this role, even though you wouldn’t think she had any business being in a serious Hollywood film. Although Cooper plays an alcoholic country/ roots icon (I picture some mix of Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Jimmy Buffett, and maybe Randy Travis), Gaga is able to connect with him even though they have massive differences. Other reviews have mentioned their chemistry, and I have to agree with them. Cooper and Gaga make a perfect duo, despite their obvious differences. On screen, they are the perfect match for characters that have come from such different places. In the film, they couldn't be more different: alcoholic country super-star, and urban muse who sings Edith Piaf at the drag-bar while holding down a waiter job in LA. I'm shaking my head saying, "how the hell did they make this work?" But they did, somehow.
The scenes depicting drug abuse, that are so prevalent in the music industry, had me holding my breath. They are on point. The alcohol to numb the pain, and the cocaine to wake you up from the inevitable downer track that you are on—some weed thrown in to calm you down after the coke. They reflect so much of what I’ve seen in the industry. It’s worthy of pity, it really is, but this is how the industry functions. I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen musicians pull out cocaine to level themselves out… I am reminded of my time spent partying with musicians, with incredible impromptu shows performed on a whim, despite the fact they are high as hell on your choice of substances.
I want to dispense from a plot summary, but I will give a brief one: washed-out, but nonetheless famous country star meets a promising singer in a dive bar, who he has a crush on, and proceeds to take her on the ride of her life. They get married, and maybe, maybe, this is celebrity game in action.
Speaking of celebrities, Dave Chappelle takes a supporting role in the film. First, I say, “is this a gimmick?” But Dave is actually given a role that is natural for him. So, both him, and Gaga, are unexpected in the film, but deliver in terms of performances.
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