Two stars are reborn.

Rating: 8/10 (8 October 2018)

'A Star Is Born (2018)' is an incredibly accomplished piece of work, both in terms of its filmmaking and its music, and it actually introduces us to two bright new talents: Lady Gaga the actress and Bradley Cooper the musician (and writer/ director, to boot). They're both, arguably, at the most real and raw they've ever been, turning in wonderfully nuanced and realistic performances. They each bring a weight and history to their roles that just seeps off the screen. The direction really is superb, too, as it constantly makes distinct and assured decisions that infinitely enhance the story-telling. While it does feel quite long, the story has a lot to get through and, even though this is the fourth version of this tale, it feels very timely because it comments on fame, the music industry and the all-too-often-seen tragedies that come with both. It also includes some subtly meta layers, too. The end result is a compelling, believable and surprisingly moving film that packs a pretty powerful punch and isn't afraid to do so - especially with its massively, almost devastatingly emotional ending. 8/10