A Star is Born Film Review
Bradley Cooper delivers a dazzling directorial debut with this third remake of A Star is Born, catapulting Lady Gaga to Big Screen stardom.
The story follows Gaga's struggling singer-songwriter Ally, who catches the attention of seasoned musician Jackson Maine. As the two fall in love, Ally's career begins to blossom, putting a strain on their relationship as it begins to overshadow Jackson's, with his hard drinking lifestyle spinning out of control on a downward spiral. The perfect marriage of ingredients, A Star is Born is a slow-burning but nonetheless captivating drama, bursting with some tremendous song tracks, an intoxicating chemistry between its two leads, and career-definining roles for the both of them. It's no surprise that the film has already received numerous Oscar nods.
Despite the fact that Lady Gaga more than rises to the challenge of a leading role on the Big Screen (her first stepping on stage is flawless), this is Cooper's baby through and through. Gaga is better than we've ever seen before, effortlessly making the transition from insecure but talented nobody to popular shining star, with her natural - often underrated - singing talent defining the many song tracks performed by her and Cooper.
But it's still Cooper who gets the choice role, delivering an assured directorial debut in passionate style, getting involved in the writing, and embracing a part rich with tragedy. Kristofferson would similarly be celebrated in the otherwise middling 70s incarnation, and there's more than a little of Jeff Bridges' Oscar-winning Crazy Heart in here too (as well as co-star Sam Elliott, who provided literal inspiration for the character's gruff voice), with Cooper at an absolute career high (he hasn't been this good since Silver Linings Playbook), playing a part which was undoubtedly informed by the actor's own history with alcohol, having stopped drinking almost 15 years ago. It's the kind of powerfully raw and honest portrayal that, like Rourke's battered comeback in The Wrestler, has rightly earned him an Oscar nod.
An undeniably impressive debut which is both resonant and electrically entertaining. Highly recommended.
A Star is Born 4K Picture
A Star is Born 4K Sound
A Star is Born 4K Extras
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A Star is Born 4K Blu-ray Review
A Star is Born is on UK 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a standalone 4K release and as part of the Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary Studio Collection from 16th October 2023.
The Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary Studio Collection pulls together ten classic films from three eras in Hollywood - Classic Hollywood, New Hollywood and Modern Blockbusters - and serves them up in a lavish set with impressive packaging, booklets and memorabilia.
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