Bradley Cooper delivers the best performances of his career and lets the world know that he is a force to be reckoned with behind the director’s chair.
A musician helps a young singer and actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral
So Bradley Cooper can really sing. They let you know this from the very opening moments of this film. Not only can this man sing, but he can also direct and he can act. Is there anything that this man cannot do? Going into A Star Is Born, the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper expectations were high. Reviews had been pouring in and everyone was declaring this a sensation and one of the best films of 2018. When it appeared at TIFF word of mouth was spreading fast, and this instantly shot up the ranks of my most anticipated movies to see before the end of the year.
Imagine a chance meeting, that is almost like a fairy tale playing out in reality. One of the biggest rock stars in the world, drunk off his ass, stumbles into the drag bar where you are performing. Well, when Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) does just that and is mesmerized by Ally (Lady Gaga) the moment he hears her open her mouth and sings, you know these two are destined for greatness together. So when Jackson asks her to have a drink with her, he wants to get to know this mysterious singer/songwriter. See Jackson might be a bonafide rock star, but he is battling inner demons. He has massive alcohol and drug issues, and he is looking for motivation and a new spark in his life. Jack is also losing his hearing from an issue he’s been dealing with his entire life. When Ally agrees to go to one of his shows, he drags her on stage to perform one of her songs together, and the crowd goes wild. In just a matter of minutes, Ally’s life is completely turned upside down, and she is thrust into this lifestyle of the rich and famous. From there we go on this rollercoaster emotional journey, that is filled with heartfelt love songs, the ups, and downs of being famous and the battle with the bottle. A Star Is Born is really everything I wanted it to be and more.
First things first, the music is incredible. I knew that Bradley Cooper could sing, but I didn’t know I would be blown away like I was. The concert scenes feel so authentic and real, I thought I was just watching a live taping of a band performing in concert. You get emotionally invested in these people because of the performances they are giving. Lady Gaga is phenomenal here. She isn’t the first singer to crossover into acting and gives an outstanding performance. Madonna and Jennifer Hudson both come to mind, but Lady Gaga sheds her usual over the top fashion look and transforms into another person completely. Their chemistry is great, and in a movie like this, that is either going to carry the film into great heights, or it will inevitably be its downfall. I believed that they were in love and that they fell for one another, which means that they probably spent some time together before filming.
It was interesting to watch Ally’s rise to fame while watching Jack battle his demons, all while trying to show her ropes of the business. One is flying high, while the other is battling each and every day with something that he doesn’t always want to share with those closest. His older brother Bobby (Sam Elliot) is the last family he’s got, and they have an intense and personal relationship. All three of them should be nominated come Oscar season, I can see big nominations for this. Bradley will not only get nominated for acting, but he should get a nomination for directing and this will be nominated for best picture. It’s a spectacle, and Bradley Cooper deserves so much credit for everything he has accomplished. Even Lady Gaga shocked me. She became so real, at times, I forgot just how overzealous she is in real life, I almost like this version of her better.
When you’re in love, you will do whatever it takes to make that person feel special. This is quite the love story. It’s a story about taking a chance on someone, even if they are from a different world. Alcoholism is a scary disease and I thought Cooper did an excellent job depicting addiction and how it not only affects those around you but how it ultimately runs your entire life. Addiction can consume you, no matter how much love and support you have in your life. Jack deals with it his entire life until it catches up with him, and he needs to go to rehab. This is an emotional film, with powerful performances, and it leaves you wondering if this is what life is truly like for world-famous rock stars.
Overall I thought the soundtrack and performances carried this movie really well. Bradley kind of sucks you in straight away and his performance is almost hypnotic. When you haven’t seen a certain actor do something like sing, you can really become invested in their role. The ending is soul crushing and it kind of leaves you wanting a little bit more. I know I’ll be pumping the soundtrack for the next few weeks.
Check ya later
Nate’s Movie Tour Reviews – A Star Is Born = 91/100