Lady Gaga sees stars in A Star is Born

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga singing a duet.

The story of the artist going from rags to riches has been told time and time again. In the case of A Star is Born, the story of a young woman aspiring to be a singer and falls in love with a fading star only to have her career skyrocket while his continues to dwindle, has been told not once but four times. The original starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It was remade in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason and again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

This time around, Bradley Cooper takes double shift in both acting and directing the latest remake of A Star is Born. For a first-time director, he displays capable skills from the opening title sequence, camera work whether a close-up or panning shot, and conveying emotion from his fellow actors. Jackson Maine (Cooper) is a famous musician hitting the rocks and the whiskey until he meets Ally (Lady Gaga). From the moment she starts singing, he is immediately smitten by her beauty and voice. He sees so much in her; a better future than the crummy life she currently has. The makings of a star.

Lady Gaga is the movie's biggest surprise. She is completely unrecognizable contrary to her signature Pop diva image. As Ally, Stefani Germotta, is simply stunning as a dreamer who gets a chance to be famous but not fully giving into the vices of fame. Her work on Machate Kills and America Horror Story are paying off as she gives a variety of range in her performance. My favorite scene is when she sings for the first time at one of Jackson's concerts. Dumbstruck, exasperation, anxious, and excitement, all wonderfully conveyed as she is coaxed onstage, walks to that mic and sings her heart out.

Fun Fact: Andrew Dice Clay beat Robert De Niro, and John Travolta for this role.

Cooper is equally great playing the tragic victim of stardom and his scenes where he recognizes what he has done are remorseful. Andrew Dice Clay balances funny and serious as Ally's father Lorenzo and Sam Elliot is a force to be reckoned with as Jackson's older brother Bobby. If not all the actors get an Oscar nod in acting, Lady Gaga is a definite front-runner.

Rule# 2: Never challenge Sam Elliot. 

What keeps the movie from being good is the slow run-time. Before and after the two-hour runtime I kept wondering when the movie would end. Story wise its the same predictable fable of the highs and lows of celebrity life we've seen countless times. Booze, drugs, jealousy, sex, and choosing between fame or the people you love. If you like the melodrama then you'll have a good time. Even when dragged on a date night, the performances are what make it watchable.

A nice cameo from Dave Chappelle.

There is also a last-minute twist (for lack of a better word) that reminded me of Iron Man 3's change of narration. It will generate a strong reaction that I was split on the decision. On one hand I'll give it credit on going for such a route but on the other hand it felt out of left field. I understand the theme but like Frozen I won't be listening to the soundtrack the same way again.

There's a line that Sam Elliot says near the end that perfectly sums up the movie:

Music is essentially any note between twelve octaves. Twelve notes and the octave repeats. It’s the same story told over and over. All that the artist can offer the world is how they see those twelve notes.

Definitely an actor's movie hence the title as it rely's on star power. It deliver's on that note. So while the story won't be nothing to scream at, it still showcases's Cooper's talent behind-the-camera and Lady Gaga's acting talent. Looking forward to what they do next.

Final Verdict: (B-)