Unbelievably Believable

Rating: 9/10 (21 February 2019)

Those who have seen the first three iterations of this film story will recognize the narrative arc of this version, which most resembles the 1976 forerunner. The major difference is the two lead actors.
Part Barbra. Part Bette. Part Liza. Gaga (Ally) delivers a performance that is reminiscent of and worthy of these other mononymous stars, delivering a fresh portrayal that dispenses with the glitz and pretension of her stage persona. Even more importantly, we believe she is falling in love with the man who stumbles into her life---providing a chemistry that was lacking in some other versions.
Sleeping on her bed under the album cover for Carole King's "Tapestry", she is believable as a young woman in a suburban family bedroom. When she interacts with Bradley Cooper (Jackson Maines) or walks onto a stadium stage for the first time, we believe.
Bradley Cooper, who also directed, is Jackson. Part Kris Kristofferson. Part Jim Morrison. Part Jeff Bridges. With an unexpected voice that growls like a weary instrument---tainted by alcohol, drugs, and inner demons----he embodies the scarred soul too weak to firmly grasp the lifeline that Ally extends. And Sam Elliott (Bobby) really feels like Jack's brother.
Ally is a person you care about. In fact, the film felt too short for me. A rarity, but I wish the story of this relationship had been developed even more.
I like all the earlier versions of this story, so this one had plenty to live up to. And it delivered.