A One Mann’s Movies review of “A Star is Born” (2018).

Bob the Movie Man’s Movie Rating:

Certification:

UK: 15; US: R.

It’s unusual for the illustrious Mrs. Movie-Man and I to disagree over our opinion of a movie.  Sure, she doesn’t like some genres like horror and sci-fi that I do, and I will often go to them alone.  But in the main if we sit there together then we tend to have the same general view as to whether we liked it or not.  (I guess that’s why we’ve been such a good match for nearly 40 years!).  Not so though with this film.

The story has been filmed three times before: in 1937 (with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March); 1954 (with Judy Garland and James Mason) and 1976 (with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson).  In all of these films the story has been the same:  an alcoholic and over-the-hill actor (or with Kris Kristofferson, rock star) finds a young talented ingenue to love and develop into a superstar.

Through the years… the previous versions. (Sources: Selznick International Pictures; Transcona Enterprises; Warner Brothers).

The modern day remake is a little different in that Jackson Maine, our older star (now played by Bradley Cooper), is a stadium-filling mega-rock-star, recognised and idolised in every bar he goes into…. and he frequents a LOT of bars. Maine mixes the cocktail with drugs in this version meaning that as one star is ascending, his seems destined to be heading into a black hole.

Jackson in concert. (Source: Warner Brothers).

At its heart, this is a good story of having self-confidence in your own abilities, no matter how people around you try to put you down.  Gaga’s Ally is one such person; a waitress who is constantly being told, especially by her blue-collar dad and his boozy friends, that although she has a great voice she’s “never going to make it” because of the way she looks.  In chilled fashion she meets Jackson Maine, who hears her sing and thinks she might be on the edge of glory.  Not worried about her big nose, he appreciates she was born that way: in fact he likes her so much he wants to poke her face. (Sorry… couldn’t resist it).

I appreciate from the IMDB rating that I am probably in a minority here.  (At the time of writing this – pre-general release – it is a ridiculously high – and I suspect artificially pumped up – 8.8).  But for me, I found the whole thing a dull affair.  I can’t remember the last time I went to a film when I actively looked at my watch… but 1 hour 45 into this, I did (it had another 30 minutes to run).

Red light spells… love. A first meeting in a drag revue. (Source: Warner Brothers).

For one thing, I just didn’t believe Bradley Cooper as the rock star character.  He just came across as totally false and unbelievable to me.  I had more resonance with Gaga’s Ally.  Even though she is a novice actor (and it showed at times) in general I thought she did a creditable job. But given these two factors together, there are long and indulgent exchanges between the pair that seemed to me to go on in–ter–min–ably.  Best actor in the film for me was Sam Elliott as Jackson’s brother Bobby.  The mellowing of the brothers is a scene that I found genuinely touching.

I’d also like a glance at the original script, since there are some passages (the “boyfriend/husband” lines is a case in point) where it felt like one of them made an script mistake and, instead of Cooper (as director) shouting “cut”, they kept it going as some sort of half-arsed improv.

A tour de force. On the road with Jackson and Ally. (Source: Warner Brothers).

What is impressive is that they got to film at live concerts (including at Glastonbury), although most of this footage is of the hand-held nausea-inducing variety. There is zero doubt that Gaga can belt out a song better than anyone.  But I didn’t get that same feeling about Bradley Cooper’s singing:  like a lot of this film (with Cooper as co-producer, co-screenwriter AND director) it felt to me like a self-indulgent piece of casting.

I know music is extremely subjective, and “country” isnt really my think anyway.  But the songs by Gaga and Lukas Nelson were – “Shallow” aside –  for me rather forgetable.

Overall, in a couple of years that have brought us some great musicals – “La La Land“; “Sing Street“; “The Greatest Showman” – here’s a film about the music industry that did nothing for me I’m afraid.

 

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Sue Mann
Sue Mann
5 years ago

Original comment by Sue Mann:
Better than La la land.
4/5. I loved this film. Great music, good story and. Lady G was particularly engaging. The first half of the film was especially lovely.

Guy West
Guy West
5 years ago

What a waste of an evening. I think your two stars was generous!

Sarah
Sarah
5 years ago

Sorry Sue, but I’m with Bob and Guy on this one. I persevered to the end but, apart from worrying he might poison the dog, it was an emotion- free zone and a big ‘no stars’ from me! But as I also disliked ‘La la land’ I fear my musical credentials are limited!

Trailer:

4/5. No real spoilers in the trailer…. and the trailer made me want to watch the film!

By bobwp

Dr Bob Mann lives in Hampshire in the UK. Now retired from his job as an IT professional, he is owner of One Mann's Movies and an enthusiastic reviewer of movies as "Bob the Movie Man". Bob is also a regular film reviewer on BBC Radio Solent.

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5 Comments
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Sue Mann
Sue Mann
5 years ago

Original comment by Sue Mann:
Better than La la land.
4/5. I loved this film. Great music, good story and. Lady G was particularly engaging. The first half of the film was especially lovely.

Guy West
Guy West
5 years ago

What a waste of an evening. I think your two stars was generous!

Sarah
Sarah
5 years ago

Sorry Sue, but I’m with Bob and Guy on this one. I persevered to the end but, apart from worrying he might poison the dog, it was an emotion- free zone and a big ‘no stars’ from me! But as I also disliked ‘La la land’ I fear my musical credentials are limited!

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