"It's the same story over and over. Forever."

Rating: 9/10 (15 June 2019)

I wasn't compelled to see this movie when it came out just because of all the hype. Instead, I looked up the 1954 version with James Mason and Judy Garland, a film that came across to me more as a musical than a drama. Even though that picture had an intriguing theme, I found it to be generally boring and never really caught the connection between it's two principals. This one on the other hand, had a dynamism that the earlier version lacked, and I'd have to say I liked it. Actually, I really liked it, notwithstanding an aversion to Lady Gaga based simply upon her reputation and no other reason. Quite honestly, for a debut acting performance, Miss Gaga (real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) not only surprised me with her singing, but was quite exceptional in the role of a rising musical performer while her sponsor, benefactor, lover and eventual husband Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) struggled on his way down. Their on screen chemistry looked like the real thing, and for his directing debut, Cooper wound up excelling in both areas. The musical numbers, many of them written or co-written by Cooper and Lady Gaga, were particularly well placed and poignant for the scenes in which they were used, and to hear Cooper actually sing his own numbers revealed yet another unknown talent the man had at the time this film was released. Overall, this was a worthwhile viewing experience and one I'd recommend on it's own merits, regardless of any of the prior film versions.