A STAR IS BORN
US, 2018, 135 minutes, Colour.
Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, Rafi Gavron, Anthony Ramos, Dave Chappelle, Alec Baldwin, Marlon Williams, Ron Rifkin, Barry Shabaka Henley.
Directed by Bradley Cooper.
Given the film history of this story, it must be one of the most American archetypal stories, a theme of rise and fall. In that way, it is universal and, in terms of film versions, it has been popular since the 1930s. The first version in 1932 was What Price Hollywood (directed by George Cukor who also directed the 1954. The first A Star is Born featured Fredric March and Janet Gaynor was in 1937, the Judy Garland-James? Mason version in 1954, Barbra Streisand-Kris? Kristofferson version in 1976 and, for some reason, nothing in the 1990s, a 40 year gap until this version.
The buzz about the film has been, of course, about the appearance of Lady Gaga in her first dramatic performance as a lead. (She has appeared on small roles in a number of movies as well as television performances.) And, the first thing that most have commented on is how well she has been cast, how well she performs, her talent for acting, her ability at singing and capturing an audience – and with many of the songs written by her, some in collaboration with Bradley Cooper.
And, Bradley Cooper gives a persuasive performance. He is a rock star, seen performing, engaging an audience, but going off with his chauffeur to find a bar to drink. He finds himself in a drag queen bar but, the performers encourage a friend, Ally (Lady Gaga) to sing. She has ambitions but she works, unsatisfactorily, in a diner, is encouraged by her father who likes to tell people that he has been very favourably compared to Frank Sinatra. She does an Edith Piaf song, La Vie en Rose, impressing the audience and drawing the attention of Jackson Mayne (Cooper) who is drawn to her. Cooper has a pleasing screen presence, an engaging smile, and a credibility that he would be attracted to this singer.
And he is, inviting her to fly in his plane to a performance, arranging her music and lyrics, singing them and inviting her to join him on stage. It is the beginning of her rise, his fall.
While Ally has some confidence, she is conscious of her appearance, appearing only in controlled situations. But, she is gradually transformed, her songs, her vocal talent, appearance and clothes. She is approached by an ambitious British producer. She makes a record. She rehearses with dances. She appears on Saturday Night Live with Alec Baldwin.
And, she is in love and marries Jackson.
The characters in the background remind us of where Ally and Jack have come from. Andrew Dice Clay plays her enthusiastic father, a manager of a car fleet with his driver pals. Jack is supported by his older brother, Bob (Sam Elliot). What might have been idyllic is always threatened by Jack’s drinking. Drink, he does, leading to outbursts, clashes with his brother, hurtful attitudes and words towards Ally.
Where can it end? Rise and fall?
One of the features of A Star is Born that will appeal to many audiences (though some may be living in their past preferred music tastes) is the music. The film does not stint on the music, the songs – an achievement for the stars, their collaboration in the writing and composing and Bradley Cooper proving himself as a singer, matching Lady Gaga.
1. The many versions of this story? From the 1930s, to the 1950s, to the 1970s? 21st-century interpretation of the story, characters and themes? 26 first century music?
2. An American story in the telling? Universal application? A story of rise and fall?
3. The strength of the cast, the musical score, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga and their writing songs, performance? The filming at live concerts?
4. Los Angeles as a base, the tour of American cities, the clubs, the drag queen club, bars, the venues for the concerts, backstage, on stage? The television background, Saturday Night Live and the studios, the rehearsals for the dances? The Grammy awards? The contrast with Arizona, the land of the desert, properties? A piece of Americana?
5. The range of songs, the lyrics illustrating the characters and the drama? Lady Gaga doing a Piaf La Vie en Rose? The blend of new songs, old songs?
6. Bradley Cooper as Jackson Mayne, his career as a singer, the initial performance, his style on stage, his music, the lyrics? His drinking, the chauffeur, going to the bar, meeting the drag queens, meeting Ally’s friend, meeting Ally in the dressing room, her singing the Piaf song, his delight, response, their talking, going to the bar, his driving her home, the attraction, sending the message, inviting her on the flight to be present at his concert? Talking with her, encouraging her, adapting her lyrics and music? Singing, inviting her to join him on stage? Love for her, fostering her career, their scenes together, building up to the wedding? His relationship with Bob, memories of his father, some resentments? Bob and his assisting him, the older brother? Memories of Arizona, the visit to Arizona? His drinking, Bob helping on the tour, the clashes and Jack being blunt to his brother, the later apology? The Roy Orbison tribute, his being ousted as the singer, playing the guitar? Ally present? His promise to be at the Grammys, in the seat, coming up after her winning, wetting himself, his bad behaviour, the collapse on the floor, covering for him? The continuing problem of his hearing?
7. Ally, the background at home, the father and his friends, the drivers, his encouraging her, with the piano? His own reputation in comparison with Frank Sinatra? At work, clashes with the boss, her friend and his support, going to the club, the performance of the Piaf song? Jack and his reaction, the attraction, staying the night, talking? Her father and his enthusiasm? Leaving her job, getting the plane, her friend going with her and always supporting her, watching Jack perform, joining him on stage?
8. The film tracking her career, the range of songs, composing, her initial reluctance, comment on her nose, the applause and her encouragement, the British agent, the discussions, his taking over her management, transforming her, physically, hair, look, the range of clothes, the touch of the outrageous, the recordings? Her appearance with Alec Baldwin on Saturday Night Live? The dancers in the rehearsals? Her life, love for Jackson? The nomination for the Grammy?
9. Jackson and his drinking, his hurtful words, the experience of the Grammy awards? Her wanting to help, Jack going to AA, his speaking to the group, its effects, off the drink for some months?
10. The encounter with Bob, memories of the past, apology?
11. Her dad, the drivers, the excitement, going to the Grammys, his reaction against Jack?
12. The manager going to talk with Jack, his bluntness, callous, warning him off, his predictions about Ally and her career?
13. The effect, the previous mentions of suicide attempts? Jack and his drinking, deciding to die?
14. Ally, her grief, reaction, the tribute song – and the touches of flashback of the two to round out the film? Joy and sorrow?
