5 stars for soundtrack, 2 stars for movie

Rating: 5/10 (15 October 2018)

Full disclosure: I have seen every version of "A Star is Born," and that includes the original 1937 with Janet Gaynor and Frederic March. I grew up on and with Streisand and have that soundtrack on cassette somewhere.
I'm a legit fan, though not a Monster, of Lady Gaga and I think Bradley Cooper is a better actor than the majority of his roles evince.
So my expectations for this film were high. Really high. And I have only myself to blame for being woefully disappointed.
Like most studio pictures these days, this one is too long by half. Unlike most studio pictures, you can see, hear, and feel what was probably intended by its creators (which, in this case, was Bradley Cooper as director, co-writer, producer, and responsible for the musicians who were involved).
So it is with real disappointment that I advise people to arrive at this film with low expectations, the suggestion that they watch the movie for what it is (a high budget studio picture starring marquee names and superb supporting actors and when Lady Gaga is singing, a terrific soundtrack), and to see it before 12pm so the ticket costs half its full retail.
This film begins and flows beautifully, authentically, and emotionally until almost midway. I won't reveal where it turns, and anyone who is paying attention will observe it. A real head scratch here: we were going one way and all of a sudden we're in a movie produced by the people who make the nonsense that airs on E!, today's MTV, Lifetime, and WE. Such a bummer.
Initially it seems that this movie is happening 20 years ago, before social media and the resulting opportunity for everyone to be famous, if only in their own minds. When it becomes a commercial mess, one can only wonder if the studio got its hands on it and decided to turn it into a "blockbuster."
That's a shame. Happily, you can enjoy the soundtrack.