A Star is Born has had four different film adaptations of the story over the past 80 years, and it’s easy to see why. A compelling story about an aging male star discovering a young woman with a natural talent and helping her become an overnight sensation, with a rise of the young starlet, and the fall of the mentor. Not only is it a charming plot in its own right, it also allows as a centerpiece for a talented actor and actress to deliver a powerful performance. When it comes to this most recent retelling, directed, written by, and starring Bradley Cooper opposite Lady Gaga, this is the best adaptation yet, as Cooper delivers something emotional, enthralling, beautiful, and magical, creating the definitive telling of this story that will be tough for any filmmaker to live up to when this inevitably gets remade again.
When watching Cooper’s take, while the film does take all of the best elements from all three previous adaptations, from the sharp critique found within an entertainment industry found in the 1937 Gaynor-March original, to the gorgeous colors and cinematography from the 1954 Garland-Mason musical (the film even gives a few nods to Garland), to the country rock angle found in the 1976 Streisand-Kristofferson take, what makes the Gaga-Cooper rendition so special is the characterization of both of its stars.
While the other adaptations focused almost entirely on the leading lady, with the leading man being a supporting player, this one, being directed by the leading man, gives a lot for both leads to chew on, with compelling backstories and interesting dilemmas, with Cooper’s character Jackson Maine in particular having a lot more depth than previous incarnations, best shown with his interactions with his significantly older brother and manager Bobby, played by Sam Elliott, and his constant issues with alcoholism and drug abuse. Cooper’s performance is absolutely incredible, possibly his best work yet, tackling a complex figure who is able to be endearing and sympathetic, his singing voice is absolutely incredible, and he sells his persona every time he’s on screen like a natural pro. He looks, acts, sounds, and feels like someone who has done country music for decades, and he has never been known for his singing voice.
The titular star being born thankfully isn’t left behind, as Gaga as Ally delivers a performance just as phenomenal, and while her backstory isn’t quite as complex as her male co-star, she still has a compelling story, best shown through her interactions with her father Lorenzo, played by Andrew Dice Clay. Obviously her singing is amazing, but her performance away from her vocals is off the charts. Her inflections, her expressions, and her mannerisms are all fantastic, playing someone down-to-earth and conversational and real. Through so many nuances, and incredible line delivery, she’s able to make Ally into her own unique character, making her stand-out sequence at the very end absolutely powerful, leaving the viewer breathless.
The supporting cast, including Elliott, Clay, Anthony Ramos as Ally’s close friend, and Dave Chappelle as a former musician and friend of Jackson, all deliver great performances as well, with Elliott in particular bringing a stirring and emotional turn to his character towards the end. But the real stars of the show are Cooper and Gaga together. The two share an unbelievable chemistry that’s absolutely infectious and beautiful. Their conversations are natural, they play off of one another well, and there’s a genuine sense of love the two share that makes them perhaps the most endearing pairing of all four films.
This love is especially prevalent in the concerts. While Cooper’s direction is stellar across the board, it is with the concerts the film truly shines. Not only do they deliver the emotional highlights, with both Jackson and Ally’s first time singing the tune Shallow together and the film’s grand finale giving yours truly goosebumps, they are absolutely gorgeous. The crowds seem larger than life, and the camera pans and swerves around the stage, including several effective perspective shots making the audience feel as if they’re really there. The music itself is also exhilarating and beautiful, with some fantastic country rock pieces and incredible power ballads from Gaga. Both the concert sequences and the music truly deliver some magical moments that only the best of cinema has to offer, and is worth the price of admission alone.
While all four versions of A Star is Born have their strengths and weaknesses, it’s fair to say that Cooper’s attempts at telling this timeless story might just be the best of the bunch. Moving, charming, energetic, somber, and overall beautiful, through the phenomenal work of both Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, this 2018 retelling of a classic story has usurped itself as the definitive incarnation, and when the 2030s come around, whoever decides to direct the next A Star is Born will have some big shoes to fill.