A Star Is Born

100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 16 Day 16

Sorry for the delay in posting. I had a weekend youth retreat. I was busy running around with 40 awesome kids under the age of 17! Needless to say, it was a bit hectic but a ton of fun.

It seems right to write about Oscar nominated films because it is Oscar season. Today I am writing about the remake of A Star Is Born. I must preface that I adore the 1954 version with Judy Garland. I went into the new version a bit skeptical because of my admiration for Judy. I also knew how the movie was going to end because I've seen the original. I believe that is why I wasn't as emotional as everyone else in the theater.

The 2018 A Star Is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars himself as Jack, Lady Gaga as Ally and Sam Elliott as Jack's older brother Bobby. Jack is an alcoholic country singer who stumbles across Ally singing at a drag show in LA. Jack is immediately taken by Ally's haunting music and intrigued by her look. He decides he is going to help her become a singer and they fall in love in during the process. Along the way, Jack battles with his own demons AKA his sever alcoholism.

Is the movie about Jack or Ally?
My friend described this movie as Bradley Cooper's passion project for Bradley Cooper. The movie focuses so much on Jack that you forget it is titled A Star Is Born not A Star Slowly Falls. In fact, the movie jumps so fast from Ally being an unknown to a superstar that you are jarred by the change. Like woah, when did that happen? Instead, A Star Is Born focuses on Jack's self destructive actions. He pushes away his brother, the only one who had his back. He falls in love with Ally, becomes jealous of her fame and starts to mentally abuse her for her success. This is all accepted and allowed because Jack is drunk the entire time. Jack blames all of his actions on the alcohol. It's tragic to see this talented artist hit rock bottom.

Lady Gaga is a brilliant singer, one of my favorites. I even enjoy her acting but where she really shines is when she sings and acts. The moment she walks on stage to sing her first original song was film magic. I literally cried when Jack and Ally sing Shallow. It's a powerful song and by far, my favorite scene in the entire movie. Ally finally has the courage to use her own voice and it's a beautiful moment. There is an emotional song at the end of the film where Lady Gaga pours her entire heart into it. I felt like I saw of piece of Lady Gaga's soul on screen.

The stand out performance was Sam Elliott as Bobby. He was the conscience of the film. He sees life for how it really is. He sees who Jack is, he loves him but he also knows he can't "fix" him. He wants Jack to sober up but Jack finally pushes Bobby away. The final scene with Bobby moved me to tears. It was a classic performance with heart and pain.

My problem with this movie
SPOILERS AHEAD

I feel like Bradley Cooper missed a massive opportunity to talk about depression and suicide. The movie's climax is Jack deciding Ally will be better off without him and he kills himself in the garage. I had to turn away from the screen. It was a horrible and painful moment to see on screen. I've lost friends to suicide, it's painful and it hurts. I wanted the movie to end with something more than credits rolling. I wanted to see a suicide prevention website or email. Maybe a PSA about alcoholism but instead it was another emotional song with credits. It was a missed opportunity to help people struggling with addiction.

The soundtrack of this movie is magic. If anything, watch the movie to hear Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sing Shallow.