Hey everyone, guess what? It's your favorite time of the week! A new blog by Carlee! I don't actually know if this is your favorite time of the week, I'm just tooting my own horn. Today I will be reviewing the highly anticipated film, A Star Is Born starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. I don't have too much left to say, introduction wise, because I want to save it all for the review so... LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
PLOT:
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is one of the most famous country musicians in the world. He can't go anywhere without being recognized.Ally (Lady Gaga) is a waitress who dreams of being a star. After performing a sold out show, Jackson gets into his car and grabs a bottle of gin and chugs it down. When he realizes there is no more alcohol in the car he makes his driver take him to a bar, any bar. He enters the first one they see which just so happens to be a drag bar. He doesn't seem to care though, his only thought being on his next drink. When he enters the bar he meets Ally's best friend, Ramon (Anthony Ramos) who tells him his friend is going to sing next and she has the voice of an angel. Ally takes the stage and belts out La Vie En Rose. Jackson stops what he's doing and takes it all in. He's impressed, bewitched.
After the show he meets Ally backstage and compliments her singing. He asks her if she would like to get a drink with him to which she agrees. They end up spending the whole night together just talking and she previews a song she's been writing. That next morning he asks her to come to his concert. She declines but he won't take no for an answer. She eventually gets to the concert where he drags her onstage to sing her song with him. Everyone instantly falls in love with her.
As her career rises in fame, his begins a downward spiral. However, through it all they try to stick together.
REVIEW:
I'm going to start out this review with two words. LADY GAGA. This woman can act! In an interview she talked about how a writer said she would flop as an actress. I hope that writer watches her performance and instantly regrets those words because she is amazing. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if she is nominated for an Oscar. In fact, she should be. She plays this wide-eyed, caring, loving woman who is thrown into the deep end of the world that is fame. Watching her character try to navigate this new world while also maintaining her relationship with Jackson is so beautiful. She plays this role with such vulnerability and openness. We know everything she is feeling and we feel it too.
This is one of those rare movies that could be nominated for the big 5: best picture, best actor, best actress, best director, and best screenplay. Bradley Cooper not only does a fantastic job as an actor in this film playing a broken, drunk, drug addict who just wants to do right by the love his life. He also does a great job as a director. He knows just how to direct the story and where to focus the camera. He doesn't turn the camera away, he holds it and just lets the scene fold out. He continues the trend of actors taking a stab at directing and crushing it along with John Krasinski with A Quiet Place.
For a movie about music, this movie can be so quiet. Hardly any score is used during the interactions between Ally and Jackson. It really lets the audience have this experience with these characters. We get an inside look into their relationship, inner thoughts, emotions. The cinematography for this film was just gorgeous. The way it lingered on shots, sometimes even making us uncomfortable. It made this movie an intimate experience. They way it dealt with the concert side of the story along with the one-on-one interactions between Ally and Jackson were beautifully juxtaposed. The pacing of this story is also well done. We're quickly introduced to Ally and Jackson and the establishment of their relationship so we can focus on their journey together.
Now to the important part, the songs. Each and every one of the songs has soul to it, tells the larger story. They really allow the audience to get a deeper look into each character. All of their emotions just spill out when they sing these songs. It moves the story forward and shows the character's growth or lack of. Not to mention this soundtrack is just a great listen. I've been listening to it on repeat since I left the theater.
Overall as you can see, I loved this movie. I loved the direction, the performances, the music, everything. I highly recommend this one and make sure to bring the tissues.
PARENT'S GUIDE:
There is quite a bit of cussing in this film. You also see some brief nudity. This movie deals with some adult themes so it's probably best to leave the kiddos at home. This movie is rated R.
OVERALL RATING:
For this film I will give it a...
A Star Is Born: 10/10
As far as I'm concerned this is a perfect movie. It's raw, it's beautiful, it doesn't hold back. Everything from the acting to the cinematography is great.
CONCLUSION:
As I said before and will probably say multiple times, I highly recommend this movie. Both Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper give wonderful performances. This is an Oscar bait movie and the buzz is well deserved. I see this movie going far during awards season.
Well that's all I have to say. I hope you enjoyed this blog. Please leave me a comment or review and tell your friends! Until next time!
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