A star is born
Touching love story on – and off the screen?
The chemistry is right: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in "A Star Is Born"
© Neal Preston / 2018 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Just in time for Valentine's Day, the musical drama "A Star Is Born" celebrates its free TV premiere. But what can Bradley Cooper's directorial debut do?
For his directorial debut "A Star Is Born", actor Bradley Cooper (46, "American Sniper") got top-class support in 2018: Pop sensation Lady Gaga (34, "Joanne"). For her it was her first big movie role. But that she can act, she already proved on the small screen with her Golden Globe award-winning representation in "American Horror Story". On February 14th, just in time for Valentine's Day, "A Star Is Born" will celebrate its free TV premiere on Sat.1 (8:15 pm). You can read here why the duo Cooper / Gaga didn't just get under your skin on the screen.
The dream of a great career
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is an old hand in showbiz. The music star now performs his performances in a stoic routine and under the influence of lots of alcohol. He seems bored with his own fame. Until he meets Ally (Lady Gaga) one night. The talented singer has finished her dream of a music career. But Jack is not only fascinated by her voice. A stormy romance full of explosive creativity develops between the two, which makes Ally a new pop sensation. However, their rise has a price. Jack keeps falling. Can a tragedy be prevented?
Music and emotion at its best
The scenes that were implemented particularly impressively are the moments on stage. It's no secret that Lady Gaga can sing. But seeing her sing so naturally, vulnerably and without a big stage show should impress every moviegoer. In addition, Cooper also comes up with an unexpected vocal presence. The voices of the two stars harmonize perfectly with each other.
Sam Elliott (76, "The Big Lebowski") also leaves a lasting impression in his scenes. He plays Bobby, the brother of Coopers Jackson Maine. With just a few looks, gestures and words, their difficult relationship with one another becomes clear. Really impressive. Anyone who still remembers that Bradley Cooper was once seen in the series "Alias" can look forward to a mini reunion: Both Greg Grunberg (54, "Heroes") and Ron Rifkin (81, "Brothers & Sisters" ") are back in front of the camera with Cooper.
The camera work also favors the acting and underlines that the figures are in the foreground and not the glitter and glamor world of the stars. Close-ups convey even more emotions. "A Star Is Born" is unexcited, without any great action, even in the stage scenes in front of a live audience the focus is on the characters. The viewer is close to the action, right in the middle of the emotional chaos of the protagonists. In addition, there is the subject of alcohol addiction, which is presented in a ruthlessly honest manner. Showbiz is almost a minor matter.
Between love rumors and Oscar frustration
"A Star Is Born" moves and stages human abysses like great moments with pinpoint accuracy. The theatrical and musical performances of Cooper and Lady Gaga are particularly impressive. Both go all out and show pure emotions. The good chemistry between them and their fascination for one another can be felt every minute. So much so that after the joint Oscar performance of their song "Shallow" in 2019, a romance between them away from the camera was suspected. But that turned out to be a nice rumor.
Speaking of the Oscars: Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt received a golden boy for their jointly written song "Shallow". Overall, however, "A Star Is Born" and director, co-writer and lead actor Bradley Cooper degenerated into the big losers of the evening. Because with eight Oscar nominations (including "Best Film", "Best Actor", "Best Actress", "Best Screenplay") the drama of its time entered the race, with the award only for the best film song in the end.