A Star Is Born

One of the major moans people have about Hollywood movies these days the lack of originality. Everything's part of a franchise, everything seems to be a reboot or a remake. It's a complaint that has a lot of merit in fairness. It seems sometimes that the big studios are afraid to take a risk on something new. That they'll only spend the big bucks on films that will make them a guaranteed return. It makes sound financial sense but it means we, the audience often get it in the neck with stale, safe movies abounding. Every now and then it works though and we get to experience something fantastic. 2006's reboot of the Bond franchise with Casino Royale was amazing. Or this year's Black Panther, a film that blew all expectations out of the water. Then we have A Star Is Born. A film that's a remake of a remake of a remake, from a first time director and starring a pop star with very limited acting experience. Sounds like a disaster right?? Far from it.

Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is an old pro, a southern gentleman, a full on rock star and all that that entails. One night after a concert he wants a drink and enters a random bar only to witness a singer called Ally channeling Édith Piaf. Instantly smitten he pursues both her and her talent. For a while life is a joy until he realises she's rapidly becoming a major draw in the music business just as his star is falling.

Wow. It's been a while since a film made me feel something. Actually feel something but this one did it. Joy, elation, absolute despair. This one has it all. Asides on male fears of being obsolete, forgotten, of aging are all here. First time director Bradley Cooper really nailed it. It's electrifying in parts. Musical performances that will give you goosebumps. Dawning realisations of where the story is headed that will make you grip your chair. The buzz of the new painted perfectly onscreen. It's a damn good debut and one that will be getting all the Oscar nods come march. I'd bet my shoes on it.

Lady Gaga is immense. Having never seen her act before I wasn't expecting much but she's a natural. Her Ally is warm, lovely, shy, totally without conceit and in constant need of reassurance. You want to see her succeed and her first big moment onstage would give a corpse a jumpstart. She'll get all the attention but Bradley Cooper is excellent too and like Gaga sings all his own songs. A commanding performance and a transformed one too. The charm he's known for is still there but there's a fragility beneath that grows as the film progresses. He looks and sounds different as well. The skin and voice of a man far too fond of gin and cigarettes. They hook you in instantly and watching their relationship grow is a joy as the chemistry between them just crackles. Frozen peas, nose chats, drag queens and loads of scrambled eggs seem to be the keys to their love.The first hour will have you beaming and then the strain begins to show and you'll feel your heart breaking along with theirs.

At 135 mins long it's a little bit of a slog. A bloated mid section involving a famous American comedy show and a surprise appearance of a well known comedian as a friend of Jackson's could have been pared down a bit but other than that it was a pretty much perfect watch. One lovely touch I wasn't expecting was Ally's relationship with her Da, played with very surprising warmth by Andrew Dice Clay. Anyone who's seen his previous work will be amazed by his small role here but when we see him and Ally together we see how she became the woman she is. Little moments like this always sell a film to me, sparks of humanity that make characters feel real. Jackson's relationship with his brother Bobby (played nicely by Sam Elliot's moustache) is the same. It lacks the warmth of the other but it feels real.

Bravo Bradley Cooper. No one expected smug arse Phil from The Hangover to make something this special. Him and Lady Gaga are both a revelation in this and he's not a bad director either. No flashiness, no rush to make his mark, just good old fashioned craftsmanship. And goddamn if he doesn't know how to pull off the most perfectly cringy scene of 2018 as well. The word "Grammy" will forever more give you a headache.

Highly recommended.