Cooper's 'Star' burns bright

Rating: 8/10 (20 July 2019)

No film released in the past year has had the cultural impact that Bradley Cooper's remake of 'A Star is Born' has. The gritty musical love story has brought home plenty of hardware and accolades since its release, and was a hit with audiences, largely due to the chemistry between the two leads - Cooper and Lady Gaga.
'Star' does a lot of things right, from focusing almost exclusively on the bond between Cooper's washed up rocker Jack and Gaga's insta-success Ally. By not losing sight on the passion, tension and everything in between on the emotional spectrum in the music power couple's relationship, we avoid unnecessary distractions that often find their way into these kinds of films. Sure, there are odd scenes like the one at Noodles' house (Dave Chappelle in the most un-Dave Chappelle role) and Cooper's gravelly voice gets grating, but things by and large feel "real." The role music plays in 'Star' is a key one, and it really can be considered a third lead in the cast. Nothing feels forced or overdramatized - another win considering the subject matter presents a stage that could be littered with these moments.
Some believe 'Star' is primarily a vehicle for the soundtrack. While this may be true, the film could still stand on its own without the music. The acting performances, pacing and cinematography (despite shaky-cam syndrome) are all really strong, and Cooper deserves all the credit he gets for this product. Gaga especially delivers the performance of her career, and proves she is a serious actress instead of being an example of stunt casting.
'A Star is Born' will long be regarded as a top quality entry in this genre, and gives hope that musical dramas will continue to evolve and find audiences.