Directed by:
Bradley CooperCinematography:
Matthew LibatiqueCast:
Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, Rafi Gavron, Anthony Ramos, Dave Chappelle, Alec Baldwin, Ron Rifkin, Michael Harney (more)VOD (5)
Plots(1)
Raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Cooper portrays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. She has given up on her dream to become a successful singer, until she meets Jack, who immediately sees her natural talent. (Warner Bros. UK)
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Reviews (15)
The melodrama, which works as long as the two of them are searching for the way to each other, are inseparable, partying backstage and sing duets. However, as soon as Ally leaves the civilian image and embarks on a horrible pop-solo career (although this is an intention, but the fact that it is hardly watchable does not change anything), it stops working, because suddenly as if Cooper did not know whether to focus more on Jack or Ally. As a result, he doesn't pay much attention to either one. Many touched topics (Jack's brother, Ally's victims, etc.) lead nowhere; which is the most striking in the case of the motif of gradual deafness. It was supposed to be the centerpiece and not a topic that you don't even know if she even knew / think of. The other half is fragmented and without pace, when you know exactly what it is aiming for, but it stretches through too many unnecessary scenes that are completely the same. And so even the final emotional overflowing song tribute will not shake disappointing impressions.
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I can't get it out of my head, I just can't. Lady Gaga's smile and movements and Bradley's lovestruck and drunken look. That moment when they stand on stage together or sit at the piano and let the music and love completely take over. The way they sing and harmonize together, and it has incredible power. if I can manage it, I don't cry when I’m in a movie theater. Here I couldn't manage it. Biggest surprise of the year so far.
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Surprisingly mature filmmaking. Bradley Cooper manages to sell both the big concert scenes and the small intimate ones where two people talk with complete ease. He gives quite possibly the best performance of his career, and Lady Gaga definitely deserves all the awards she picks up. Even the songs can move or tear you up and it's awfully good to watch. The only major complaint might be a certain predictability and schematicism, but on the other hand, in this case it would be unfair to the film to criticize it. This is exactly what it promised and delivered and in a highly superior performance. A film that is honest, functional and superbly shot and acted, and moving.
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I knew I was getting into rather unfriendly waters as a viewer, but the mostly enthusiastic responses and the Oscar buzz were too strong – if only I could have resisted. A nicely made and very well acted cloying flick with great story potential, but somehow drowning in booze like Bradley’s character. The beginning and the introduction of the characters are good, the first joint stage scene is heart-warming thanks to the beautiful songs, but the rest goes on a motivationally shaky narrative mode that taps on a lot of themes, but none to the extent they would deserve. It seems as if nobody had time to ponder what this story should be about: the rise of an “ugly duckling” into the music industry elite, or the complicated relationship of two talented people with a focus on the alcoholism and the health problems of one of them; in the end, the script aims somewhere between both and never delivers the longed-for catharsis. It’s a pity, because the music and the distinctive characters alone deserved a better movie.
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A romantic flick for the ladies, A Star Is Born is directed and acted with heart, but lacks a single motif,
relationship or storyline that we haven’t seen hundreds of times elsewhere and that would make it
stand out. Only Cooper’s acting performance is excellent. And Gaga is very solid for a non-actress.
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