Attention Little monsters: Watch "A Star Is Born," if you haven't yet. As someone who has followed Gaga's music career, I was more than impressed by her feature film debut.
It's the fourth remake of a timeless story of intersecting career paths. This version stars Bradley Cooper (who also produced, co-wrote the script and contributed to song composition) and the one and only Lady Gaga.
A STAR IS BORN - Official Trailer 1 www.youtube.com
Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a country rocker looking for some booze after a performance. Unknowingly, he goes into a drag bar where Ally (Gaga) sings 'La Vie en Rose.' From that moment on, Maine is captivated and thinks that he has found an artist with "something to say and a way to say it." However, Ally doesn't sing her own songs because she thinks the music industry is full of men who think 'she sounds great, but doesn't look great.' Therefore, Maine takes a risk and brings Ally on stage in front of his devoting crowd, with positive results.
For one charming moment, their chemistry is amazing, with each supporting and encouraging each other's dreams. But unfortunately, this pair is dealt with some struggles. He's dependent on a self-destructive combination of booze, boot-crushed pills, and butt steroid injections. As for her, fame brings its own drama, as manager Rez shapes her image with new backup dancers, hairdos, glitzy outfits and publicity that are far from the real Ally.
Yet for all his support, Maine is uneasy of Ally's success and the power it brings her ("why can't I be enough?"). For instance, as Ally rehearses a pop-filled routine he is watching and looks like a lost puppy in this modern tech neon world. It's as if he's been taken out of his own movie and placed into hers. Hence, the movie's infamous awards ceremony disaster is revisited and it will have you feeling embarrassed.
Strong supporting roles include Sam Elliot as Bobby, the older brother of Maine, Andrew Dice Clays as Ally's comedic, yet protective father and Dave Chappelle as an old musician friend of Maine who found a way out of all of the chaos. Be prepared to see "A Star Is Born" nominated in several categories in the upcoming awards season because this film is deep as Bradley Cooper's mumble and as brilliant as Lady Gaga's film future.
