Review -- A Star Is Born (2018)

A Star Is Born (2018) -- Some films come along and end up entertaining. Their stories might be engaging, their screenplays sparking inspiration, their cast might be well chosen, or all of the above. Other films come along and prove to be meaningful masterpieces, with the cast chemistry radiating throughout and their screenplays incorporating thoughtful nods into universal narratives.

Rare are films that combine all of these components and the new iteration of A Star Is Born is one of them. Bradley Cooper's directorial debut is a lyrical and thoughtful love story for the ages, which will linger in your mind long after the credits have rolled.  

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is disillusioned with life in the spotlight. Every day, he fights personal demons; with each passing day, music is becoming more of a chore than comfort. Lost in his insular existence, he is looking for something or someone, but does not know what or who.

One night, he ends up at a drag bar and hears Ally (Lady Gaga) sing. A mesmerizing singer with some unjustified hang-ups about her looks, she has almost given up on succeeding in the business. She is unaware of herself and her power, having had her self-confidence shattered one too many times. While performing is second nature for Jackson, it is uncharted territory for diamond-in-the-rough Ally.

The spark between the two is instantaneous. Jackson becomes Ally's mentor and lover and Ally starts coming out of her shell. Her raw talent takes over and her career soon takes off. However, will Jackson's troubled past and issues come between them? 

We know the story and we know where it leads. The tale is not new; however, it is the appealing, organic bond between the two protagonists that makes this version sublime. The magnetism between Cooper and Gaga is pure and palpable energy, their exchanges mapping the journey through this land of sensitive, tortured artists. It is initially music that links Jackson and Ally deeply and without compromise. Indeed, Jackson adding his lyrics to Ally's song is their first act of intimacy without actually touching, without needing to touch. Making music together extends to everything missing in the pair's lives. Hers is the voice that he needs in his head; through her, he is seeking a fresh start, a rebirth of sorts. His encouragement is the nudge that she needs to start believing in herself. His love for her is what she needs to keep going and keep finding herself in an industry that most often wants to steal a performer's soul. 

On that note, one of the film's main themes is artistic integrity. The music industry is one of the toughest businesses to break into and stay true to oneself. Adhering to one's vision and creativity must be difficult when confronted by ruthless producers and managers who see dollar signs instead of human beings. The scene showing Ally coming out into the mainstream on "Saturday Night Live" is painful to watch. We know that she is better than the candy pop that she is being forced to perform. We know that she is already great and that she does not have to change herself to succeed. However, Ally has no clout not to accept what she is given, at least not yet, and Jackson does not want to stand in the way of a potentially long career. Both Ally and Jackson's arcs are reminders of how much strength an individual needs to have in order to stay afloat in a business that snatches principles for a living.   

The cast is well chosen and they share a lively rapport. Cooper's Jackson is a world-weary, complicated man, who has to figure out his priorities in life. The actor hits all the right notes, from Jackson's childish outbursts of professional jealousy to his post-rehab regrets. Lady Gaga is such a chameleonic artist that it is difficult to reconcile that the woman playing Ally is the same performer who once wore a meat dress to the MTV Video Music Awards and the same actor who played a cynical, glamorous vampire in "American Horror Story". Her Ally is a woman balancing the love of her life with the career that she has always yearned for, who ends up doing all the emotional work in her relationship and learns to stand up for herself in the process. The two actors' scenes are brimming with profound affection and their chemistry is a rare gem. Sam Elliott's portrayal of Jackson's brother Bobby is that of a man who is rough around the edges, but whose rugged demeanor conceals a turbulent and nearly broken relationship with his sibling. Andrew Dice Clay has a touching turn as Ally's father, while Dave Chappelle offers some perspective as Jackson's friend. Cooper includes nods to his "Alias" days, casting Greg Grunberg and Ron Rifkin and creating a fun reunion for fans. I also need to mention the film's light 1970s vibe and earthy feel, both owing to Cooper's cinéma vérité direction and Matthew Libatique's vivid cinematography.     

A Star Is Born is a gorgeous film with a genuine connection at its core. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper are the two creatives that form the film's heart, and what a courageous, ravishing heart it is. In this world of political upheaval and constant bad news, two true artists found each other and made magic. We are lucky to be able to witness it.

10/10