I enjoyed the film, but...

Rating: 6/10 (25 October 2018)

I was looking forward to seeing this film as I'm a fan of Bradley Cooper and an even bigger fan of the previous version of the film starring Barbra Streisand. I was surprised by a couple of people leaving the theatre sniffling from tears as it just didnt do that for me, and I've been know to shed a tear watching the flinstones.
There was definitely chemistry between the characters and you really wanted them to be together; I was rooting for them. Gaga is a phenomenal singer, but an ok actress. This is where I think the film fell short for me. Given her inability to carry a film, more pressure was put on Cooper to do so, and while he did a good job, I think it lost the love story aspect for me or certainly lessened the impact.
FinaIly I wish this film would've just been made without the pressure of bring a remake. Remakes are or should be better than the original in my opinion and this film fell short. (I know btw. the Streisand version was not the original but the 3rd version). Full disclosure, I watch the Streisand version at least twice a year and cry each time I watch it. But i walked into the theatre watching Cooper and Gaga with high expectations and by the time Jackson offed himself I was done, I actually watched it with disappointment as I believed it was a cop out move and was so contrite. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to be moved and was not. Ally's scene following the death of Jacson was so empty and void of heart wrenching emotion.
I did like the friendship between Dave Chappelle and Cooper and wished we could've explored that a bit further. Good movie Oscar contender not.