'A Star Is Born' (2018)

I didn’t know this but apparently there were already four versions of the movie A Star Is Born before this fifth outing was remade. I know a lot of people are against remakes but every so often movies have to be remade because some movies don’t really make sense or are relatable to present times. When I think back at some of the acceptable racism, sexism and homophobia in some of the older films I used to watch I have no questions as to why we have to have remakes of films. I haven’t seen the old versions of A Star Is Born so I can’t really say there was a need for the remake but a remake was made nonetheless so let’s embrace it.

From the early trailers of this movie I thought it would be an interesting one. I saw that Lady Gaga was in it and that gave me flashbacks of when I saw her host Saturday Night Live. When she hosted she was wildly funny, certainly had acting abilities and basically killed it. The trailer made no mention of this but Bradley Cooper had written and directed the movie as well. This guy has to be one of the most talented guys around. I saw him on some French TV interview and the guy was doing the interview in French! Also who knew he could sing? The guy sounds like a natural. So let me get this straight; he can speak multiple languages, directs, writes, acts, and sings? He makes me feel super lazy just thinking about how talented this guy is.

Anyways, the movie is mainly about Bradley Cooper’s character Jack. (I thought the name was funny because I’m watching Sons of Anarchy and the main character is also named Jackson.) Jack is this wildly popular singer but has major substance abuse issues. He meets with Lady Gaga’s character Ally and instantly falls in love with not only her but her talent. Ally is this down and out waitress that has talent but doesn’t have the confidence to go out there and make something of herself.

The movie is essentially a play by numbers boy meets girl story but with small welcome changes. The main character has serious substance abuse problems but they don’t make him out as this horrible person. This is a welcome change because there are a ton of people that suffer from substance abuse and we don’t need more movies to vilify them. He is relatable and we can see his perspective. Ally is this wonderful woman that is extremely hard working and loyal. All of the characters are relatable and likeable even the minor characters.

The only problems I have with the movie is the breakneck pace that it delivers all of the information. Some of the scenes kind of seem like they come out of nowhere. Certain scenes for example the scenes with Dave Chappelle’s character almost seem like they weren’t entirely necessary and were written in as a favor. There are even scenes to give some of Lady Gaga’s fans a nod too. They’re kind of out of place but don’t totally throw you right off that you don’t can’t enjoy the movie. I wonder if this would have been better as a TV series than a movie.

Overall it was a good movie. The music was really good and it was nice to see people like Bradley Cooper expand their horizons with his directorial, screenwriting and singing debut. It was also great to see Lady Gaga act so well. It was emotional, so emotional that I counted 4 people leaving the theatre because they were ugly crying while watching the movie! I’ve never seen that in a theatre before but it’s 2018 in Canada and edibles are legal here. I’m going to give this movie a 7.5 out of 10. I think it’s a great date movie that you should enjoy in the theatre. You may find it entertaining to see the ugly crying in the movie theatre too! I did!