A Star is BORN (Even When She Drops an F-Bomb)

Rating: 10/10 (20 January 2019)

Thinking of my youngest daughter who may be listed on this website someday along side Domee Shi, who healthy pooped just after being born untimely ripped from her mother's womb Macbeth (2015) (not that bad, but was emergency because her head got stuck).
Ally works as a server, who has gone from a drag bar to a high class restaurant (and may others), although we see the madhouse that's the kitchen and demanding bosses. She's really a singer and songwriter, singing an introductory part of Over the Rainbow I'd forgotten about (and bought sheet music last week with that part). Jackson Maine is a boozed up rock/country star who flies in private jets (although they could be NetJets). After a concert, he randomly finds that drag bar, where Ally sings because they love her voice, performing the classic "La Vie En Rose", choosing to focus on him in her performance.
Just like A League of Their Own (1992) wonderfully shows the behind the scenes of baseball, A Star Is Born (2018) shows the behind the scenes of musical performance and stardom, including getting your picture taken when you hit a supermarket. The music is awesome. (my family may get tired of hearing the soundtrack album in the car, but, oh, well. Got the songbook when I got the fuller edition of Over the Rainbow.)
The direction is Oscar worthy. Just before the full frontal nude scene, Bradley Cooper tells Lady Gaga she's ugly while she's taking a bath. She becomes enraged with him and throws him out while standing up. He walks away with a "We Nailed This!" smile on his face with her out of focus. I'm surprised a bottle of bubble bath didn't pursue him.
A comment on one of the goofs: Bradley Cooper's dog would have freaked out more than the stunt dog in A Dog's Purpose (2017). A well written scene with his dog acting as sad as H.W.'s.
It's wonderful for a movie to end with I'll Never Love Again which reminds me how shocked I am to be with my wife for coming up on 28 years with how our first date went. She (a violist) wants a memorial concert but the Shrine Auditorium might be much. (although with her musical friends, I may need a fair sized venue. And I'm playing Misty Play Misty for Me (1971) on my clarinet.)