An Oscar sweep

Rating: 10/10 (9 November 2018)

A STAR IS BORN: This was a case of either tears or chills. After the final credits rolled, I just sat there and wept. When I got to the car, I just sat there and wept. I can't remember the last time I was so blown away by a film. I predict Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best performances for Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Best Direction, Best Screenplay (Cooper), Best Score, Best Original Song (Cooper and or Gaga), Costume, Makeup. Gaga is absolutely electrifying in her musical numbers. She's a phenomenon without peer. She earns the the term incomparable. There is simply no one like her, not now, not ever. (Sorry, Barbra) Her vocal range and her ability to change the quality of her voice from opera to country is something to behold. She's no Streep, at least not yet, but her presence is pure honesty which must be there because most of her performance was shot in extreme closeup where there is no margin for fakery. Cooper's direction is brilliant: the camera placement practically puts us in the scene; moves only with purpose and holds still to capture pure performance. How he managed to direct himself is beyond my ken. He was brilliant. Gaga and Cooper wrote most of the songs, individually and collaborated on many. This is also a love story which examines the price we're willing to pay to stay. She and Cooper share and explosive screen chemistry which is palpable. If you like movies at all, this one is not to be missed. Score: 10. It's that good