4 things that annoyed me about this version

Rating: 6/10 (23 February 2019)

1. What's with Bradley Cooper's talking voice? I thought he was being dubbed by Jeff Bridges and was watching his lips to see if they matched. And then I thought he was mock-imitating Sam Elliott. Was that really necessary for character development?
2. Unnecessary back stories -- I'm tired of the young white hero having a black supportive buddy to indicate his coolness and goodness. Was that really necessary for character development? And the abandoned ranch? I wish more time and writing talent was spent on developing dialogue between the two leads.
3. I totally did not buy that Jackson's decent to depression would be spurred by her new business manager. Maine (the '54 version James Mason being my favorite), truly adores her and respects her talent, and in this version, he was well aware of the hype and shallowness on the commercial music world, so why would he take that to heart? It makes much more sense, as in the '54 version, that he is devastated when he overhears HER expressing her despondency about their situation. He can't bear to hurt her.
4. The hanging in the garage -- Maine would never do that, knowing the devastation it would cause her... that it would seem like a direct statement, an affront to her, rather than a desire of wanting to disappear from life in order to cause her no more pain, to no longer be a burden and an embarrassment. That's why in the '54 version, it made more sense that he would quietly just want to disappear into the ocean.