I watched all 4 and this one is best

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2019)

After watching all 4 version of the title, I found myself liking this one best and the 1973 version least , as it's lead male's waning career wasn't believable, just self sabotaging and the songs in the 3 musicals weren't nearly as moving or as on target of the movie's main subject as in this one. This version showed the male lead not as emotionally flawed, but as truly fighting not only addiction, but age and failing body as well. whereas in the 37,54, & 73 versions addiction & self sabotage seemed his only problem as they were all shown as very healthy minnus the drinking. The addition of the failing body due to age, environment, and possibly birth defect made Bradley cooper's character more human, believable as it gave him more reason for his failings and fear driving his worsening behavior. His performance was flawless and the chemistry & love between him and Lady Gaga believable. I think for this story that part is essential. The 54 and 37 versions caught that also, not so much in the 73 version. I also found the accidental embarrassment at the awards show more believable than the previous versions deliberate embarrassment, as I felt that destroyed the believability that the male lead truly loved the female lead.
Anyway, I was moved throughout, as much by the acting and dialogue, as the songs as a continuation of the dialogue