Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga shine in this powerful and inspiring drama.

Rating: Null/10 (4 October 2018)

If you had told me that I would have cried at a movie starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in 2018 a few years ago, I would have laughed. The two A-list stars have done something nothing short of iconic in Cooper's directorial debut in A Star Is Born. This is the fourth feature with this title, first appearing in 1937, followed by the 1954 version starring Judy Garland, and then later followed in 1976 with Barbra Streisand. Remaking a film for the fourth time's a risky move, even by mainstream Hollywood's standards. Luckily, Bradley Cooper does it perfectly, creating a film that will be talked about for decades.
Bradley Cooper directs himself in the lead role as Jackson Maine, a drug addicted alcoholic who happens to be a famous musician. Despite his career success, his life is haunted by his troubled past and his addictions. It comes as no surprise that our male protagonist meets a woman who changes his life. It sounds like a familiar tune (no pun intended), yet what Cooper does is different. Casting the talented and world famous Lady Gaga as Maine's partner Ally, a struggling waitress who's looking for a breakthrough into the music business, the two characters form a passionate relationship that transports both of them musically and spiritually.
Few first time directors are as talented as Bradley Cooper. Within the first five minutes of the film we're easily aware that this talented actor has a gifted eye for storytelling and the craft of filmmaking. The only issue with this talent of Cooper's is that it's easy to miss due to his magnificent performance. Few actors are capable of captivating audiences with such an authentic and rich character portrayal as Cooper does in A Star Is Born. He presents a man traumatized emotionally and gives us a raw, natural look at the human condition and the desire for belonging and change.
Bradley Cooper's performance is especially terrific due to his chemistry with Lady Gaga. The two actors complement each other beautifully, their characters and performances growing with the audience in a nuanced and artful fashion. Gaga sings better than ever in her entire career in this film, most notably in her duet with Cooper titled Shallow, which has already become a popular song before the film has even been released. It's hands down one of cinema's best original songs to date. Gaga's musical talent is contagious. Her powerful voice and unscathed emotions while performing is the stuff stars of made of. Her acting, however, may even be better than her singing. Few actors can act so naturally and impact the audience in such an effective way as Gaga does here. Expect the singer and dancer to be in more films as a serious actor.
The singing and acting is beautiful and terrific, yet what hits home the hardest is the fresh and powerful story. Few films allow us as viewers to care so much and relate to people who, even though might be famous musicians, we can identify with and root for to succeed and overcome their obstacles. Stories in general are there for us to connect with, which is what this film excels at marvelously. It's an unexpected gem that is simply not to be missed.