“Music is essentially 12 notes between any octave...
all any artist can offer the world is how they see those 12 notes.”
— “A Star Is Born”
There is something oddly relatable about movies that spin a musician’s story. I’m not a musician, and I’ve never aspired to be a musician.
But the combination of a musician’s dramatic narrative — wrapped up in soulful tunes — creates an emotional core that, when done well, is an addicting cocktail.
First-time director Bradley Cooper brings us the fourth remake of “A Star Is Born.” I’ve never seen the other three movies, so I can’t say how they compare to the latest iteration. Frankly, I’m not sure it is particularly relevant in this instance.
Cooper is Jackson Maine, a popular musician who plays to packed houses, singing meaty, southern rock tunes. The unkempt artist has an appetite for alcohol and prescription pain meds.
When Maine witnesses Ally (Lady Gaga) singing cabaret-style at a drag bar, he immediately becomes smitten with the unassuming artist.
The two grab a drink after the show, and Maine broaches the subject of Ally’s aspirations, asking if she writes her own songs.
“I don’t sing my own songs,” she says. “I just don’t feel comfortable. Almost every single person I’ve come in contact with in the music industry has told me that my nose is too big.”
Lady Gaga’s nose is as much a character in “A Star Is Born” as is Ally. It is an interesting point of attraction for Maine as he works to convince the self-conscious artist she has potential.
The conversation in the bar eventually ends up in a quiet, grocery store parking lot where Ally lets down her guard and sings for Maine.
She croons, “Ain’t it hard keepin’ it so hardcore?” — a reference to her suitor and his hard-running lifestyle.
Maine invites Ally to a show. She reluctantly attends, and and soon finds herself on stage performing with Maine. Before we know it, “A Star is Born,” as Ally’s performance goes viral online and shakes the foundations of the music industry.
At times, “A Star Is Born” feels like a film that rolled up from the 1970s. It is a love story that stays grounded with its blue collar sensibility. The overall narrative avoids being simple filler between songs.
Cooper does a yeoman’s job in his directorial debut. The film is competently directed and crafted. I will say, though, there are a few moments in “A Star Is Born” where you can tell a first-time director was at the helm.
Let me explain. William Faulkner once said, “In writing, you must kill your darlings” — meaning you have to be willing to excise things you love for the sake of pacing and plot.
There are some conversations between Jackson Maine and Ally that go on a tad too long in “A Star Is Born.” I’m sure snipping content from those scenes was a difficult task because the chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is so intriguing.
I give Cooper & Co. credit for employing songs judiciously in “A Star Is Born” to further the narrative rhythm. As a result, the filmmakers avoid an affliction that can impact movies like this where the story basically becomes a glorified music video.
Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, and Lukas Nelson (Willie’s son) wrote most of the songs in the film. Cooper also did his own singing — his rough-hewn vocals gave gravitas to the down-home anthems.
The song that captures the flavor of the film is “Shallow,” a rousing power ballad that showcases both vocalists perfectly:
There are also a couple really solid supporting performances in “A Star Is Born.”
Sam Elliot plays Bobby, who has a very special connection with Jackson.
Andrew Dice Clay plays Ally’s father, Lorenzo. The screenwriters wisely avoided turning this character into a cliche. Lorenzo could have been written as skeptical father preaching "reality over fantasy" to his daughter. Thankfully, that isn’t how the character is drawn, and Clay gives one of the more endearing performances in the film.
Some of you will remember that Cooper played Will Tippin on the TV series “Alias.” Two of his “Alias” co-stars — Ron Rifkin and Greg Grunberg — both appear in fun bit parts in “A Star Is Born.”
The movie has already generated considerable critical acclaim and Oscar buzz. Cooper has become one of the most dependable dramatic actors in film, and Lady Gaga shows her dynamic range isn’t limited to singing.
At one point in the film, Maine is talking to Ally about building staying power as an artist in the music business.
“Look, talent comes everywhere,” he says. “But having something to say, and a way to say it so people listen to it, that’s a whole other bag.”
Indeed it is...
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