A Star is Born (2018) - Review

 

“Music is just the same twelve notes followed by an octave. Over and over. It’s how each musician hears it that makes it different.”

That line said by one of the supporting characters of ‘A Star Is Born (2018)” could easily describe the film itself. The fourth version of this story, following the 1937, 1954 and 1976 versions, sees Bradley Cooper (“The Hangover,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) as one of the film’s writers, it’s director and its star, and Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, also known as Lady GaGa, as his flame. And its one of the best dramatic pieces of the year.

Cooper works with cinematographer Matthew Libatique (“Black Swan”, “Requiem for A Dream”) to help the camera float through most scenes. It allows the concert sequences and most important dramatic moments to make an impact thanks to many uses to the unbroken shot technique.

A myriad of closeups and a particular focus on eyes help add an extra layer of weight to each moment, almost as if the audience and the characters are making direct eye contact with each other.

While it isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is worth noting that much of the core story stays the same from the previous versions of this story. The film keeps the major change the 1976 version made; to change the movie star angle to a music star one, and it’s still effective throughout.

Cooper and his writers use the backdrop of modern-day pop music to critique the ides of artists who’re in it for the money versus those who have something to say. It adds a sharp layer of modern-day criticism to help freshen up the story, but it wouldn’t work without “her”.

Stefani’s unknown songwriter Ally is the heart and soul of the film. She’s never just a “pretty little thing” for Cooper’s Jackson Maine to fond over. She’s fierce and a well-rounded character, not a damsel or a housewife. On the flip-side, Cooper’s country rock star character is a lovable train wreck of a man, and both performances are completely enthralling. At the very least, Stefani deserves an Oscar nomination for her role.

It is worth noting though that, while it does follow Ally and Jackson’s meeting and subsequent relationship, this is not a romance. This is a film that dissects how fame, love and even obtaining your dreams can fail to help when you’re plagued with things such as alcoholism and depression. Cooper and his team smartly zero in on that idea, never letting the romantic nature of the relationship overpower these underlying ideas.

The film admirably puts Maine’s alcoholism and depression at the center, and its leads to some of the film’s best moments and themes. It’s a movie with a country heartthrob at its core, and tis not afraid to show him cry, show him in despair and show him hurting. It isn’t trivialized either. It’s full of honest displays of affection and open discussions of mental health, not only between lovers, but most surprisingly in today’s age, between men.

Of course, given the careers of the film’s main characters, it’s the music is astounding. Each song has a rhythm that digs into your skin and makes toes tap almost immediately. The faux pop songs meant to be cringed at are appropriately cringe inducing, but even they have an infectious rhythm to them.

Sam Elliot gets the most screen time besides the two leads, and his southern drawl proves to be as effective as always, breathing wisdom and raw emotion into his performance, allowing his complex relationship with Maine to take hold. Dave Chapelle (“Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Half-Baked”) is equally excellent, although he isn’t given as much time or material as Elliot. The rest of the supporting cast fill their roles well: Andrew Dice Clay (“Blue Jasmine,” “Dice”) as an affectionate father for Ally, Anthony Ramos (“Hamilton,” “She's Gotta Have It (2017)”) as Ally’s best friend and Rafi Gavron (“Celeste and Jesse Forever,” “Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist”) as her sleazy manager.

“A Star is Born (2018)” is the kind of film that, when it sends, it practically dares audiences not to cry. Full of tough discussions on even tougher subjects, it’s a testament to the talented cast and crew that the film never feels like a downer. Sure, bad things may happen, but there’s an overwhelming feeling of optimism and moving forward that permeates through it all.

Cooper modernizes his telling of a classic Hollywood story with some smart commentary, but it’s the performances that sell it all. With a beating heart at its center, this is an engrossing story of love and the hardships that even it can’t fix. It may slow down in the second act, but that can’t dull what’s been accomplished here. “A Star is Born (2018)” is a wonderful crowd-pleaser with outstanding performances and a rich examination of the affects of toxic masculinity, all culminating in, hands down, one of the best films of the year. 5/5