Great work by Cooper and Gaga

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2018)

The third remake of the 1937 original (the other two made in 1954 and 1976): Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is an established country music star with various health problems including alcohol and drug addictions. He meets Ally (Lady Gaga), a waitress who sings at a drag bar on the side. As they become romantically involved, Jackson helps Ally establish a singing career while his alcoholism worsens.
Cooper the actor and Gaga the singer each take on each other's craft in this film and both do so fabulously. More importantly, each excels in their own well-established craft. Cooper also goes to the head of the class with great achievements as a first-time director.
The songs are amazing. The great Gaga shows exceptional talent throughout but especially in the final number, "I'll Never Love Again" which is a true knockout and in the same league as Barbra Streisand's conclusion to "Funny Girl" with "My Man". The sensation is phenomenal.
As a truly broken man with an unresolved past and the inability to take in the joy of fame, Cooper is a heart-breaker even when his character is truly annoying. This is most likely his best performance.
As Jackson's brother Bobby, Sam Elliott is good but he frequently mumbles and can be difficult to understand. Unfortunately, Cooper also occasionally mumbles in his scenes with him. This is not to discount Elliott as an actor. He gave a great, under-rated performance in "Grandma" in 2015.
The movie begins very well. Cooper and Gaga have great screen chemistry together in addition to giving great individual performances. The middle part is rather good though sometimes less interesting than the beginning. But this is all a build-up to a brilliant, emotionally powerful final half-hour that makes it all worthwhile culminating in "I'll Never Love Again" as mentioned above.
As Ally's record producer, Rafi Gavron comes off as a rancid piece of slime. At first thought, the characterization seemed under-developed. On second thought, it probably confirms many notorious stories of past record producers.
Overall, a truly enjoyable film.