The best versión of this story.

Rating: 9/10 (10 May 2020)

A Star Is Born had been made 3 times before this version directed by Bradley Cooper Cameron out. I went into the theater with cautious optimism on liking thus movie. Though I like the 1976 Barbara Streisand it is very much just a showcase for her singing. The movie seemed very much an ego trip for it's star.
This updated version makes the focus of the story Jackson Maine played by Cooper. He is a talented but alcoholic, drug addicted country- rock star that falls in love with Ally, played by Lady Gaga. He sees her singing in a drag bar and is instantly smitten by her beauty and talent. This is all of course familiar but Bradley Cooper's performance is so good that you buy him in the role. He is on the way down in his stardom, and the drugs and alcohol are taking their toll in his life, but he comes off as a troubled but sensitive guy with alot of inner demons. Ally is played by Lady Gaga. When Jackson and Ally are together there is instant chemistry. Jackson is so impressed by her talent that he invites her ti sing at one of his concerts. The concerts scenes between Cooper and Lady Gaga are really good. Obviously, she being the performer she is looks very comfortable in those scenes. I have to say that I wasn't really into.her in the movie at first. I an not a huge fan of her music. But her performance is really good. Her performance though very good, is not completely up to par with Bradley Cooper but she holds her own. Like the other movies dealing with this story Ally becomes a huge star a little to quickly. But hey, it's a movie. She gets approached by a manager/record producer Rez that wants to work with her. She is very excited about the opportunity but Rez wants to completely change her image and music style. He wants to make her into a pop star. Jackson doesn't like thus but supports Ally. The film does take a shot at the cookie cutter, corporate pop music that is very much what Lady Gaga performs in real life. Jackson is at once happy for his love for her newfound success but is also a little jealous because he knows his star is fading. His addiction starts to dominate and he begins to be a negative influence in Ally's career. Jackson has a half brother named Bobby played by Sam Elliott that manages his career. Bobby is tired of Jacksons antics but stays with him because he takes care of his younger brother. There is alot of tension between Bobby and Jackson, especially regarding Jackson's idolatry of their seemingly bad father. The whole story is of course predictable, but the performances, the music, the supporting characters are so good that the movie is very involving. It all wouldn't work without the romantic chemistry between Cooper and Lady Gaga. It it really does. It is very much a Hollywood screen love story, but it works. What's impressive is Bradley Cooper's sure handed direction. He doesn't try to wow us with any fancy directorial flourishes. He focuses on the performances. Especially his. Alot of times, actors that also direct a movie have their performances suffer because they are involved more in the making of the movie. It doesn't happen here. Cooper's performance as Jackson is great. Tender, angry and heartbreaking.
A terrific directorial debut.
Grade: A-