“A Star Is Born”: A Roller Coaster Ride of True Love and Love Lost

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in "A Star is Born"

An epic romance transformed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in a moving sensual film, with a great soundtrack.

Originally made in 1937 with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason and, of course, in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, A Star Is Born is a classic choice for a revamp. The challenge for director and co-star Bradley Cooper was thus to not only bring an already told tale to a new audience in a fresh and interesting way but to also satisfy the tale’s old fans and do the original story justice.

We can confidently say that Cooper’s interpretation does not disappoint on either end. With his precise direction and incredibly powerful performance, the audience is kept breathless and wanting more. His version of Jackson Maine, the rock star that battles addiction for the woman he loves, is emotionally raw and believable at every turn. Watching him urgently fight to stay sober through his growing struggle with tinnitus is deeply sympathetic to a new generation of audiences who recognize addiction as a disease rather than a weakness.

Naturally, Lady Gaga gives the sensual and talented performance that we have come to expect from her. Watching the pair fall in love is wonderfully charming and it couldn’t feel more real. In a heart wrenching spiral, we watch the two dance out a helpless tale of love that leads to a dramatic climax.  We get to experience the inner workings and emotional agony of two star crossed lovers, that just like Romeo and Juliet, never find their happy ever after.

All in all, any criticism that could possibly be voiced about this movie would have to target the original story itself, as Cooper could not have done a better job executing his vision. The crucial success of this beautiful, fresh version is that even though we may know the plot, the powerful emotional interpretation still takes us by surprise.

With Oscar deserving performances by Gaga and Cooper, this is definitely a film worth watching. Strap in tight for the roller coaster ride of true love and love lost.

4.5/5