For a time there, the 2018 film A Star is Born was inescapable. With the title song “Shallow” blasting from every speaker in earshot and the gossip sites attempting to uncover a real-life affair between the leads, the attention towards the fourth (!) adaptation of the same story was definitely sparked. Yet underneath the big names and press interviews there was something interesting to be uncovered upon a visit to the screening. A surprisingly heartfelt and intimate picture filled with the entire spectrum of emotions to hit you, and magic only rarely seen on the silver screen.

Gaga’s far from the shallows now

To be upfront, I haven’t seen any of the previous versions of the film – the 30s one with Janet Gaynor, the (generally most beloved) 50s version with the unforgettable Judy Garland, and the 70s starring the one and only Barbra Streisand. As per the math of the Hollywood studios, in the late 2010s, we were way past overdue for a another version. And yet – at least to the eye untouched by the previous versions – the Bradley Cooper-directed musical romance feels as fresh and sincere as ever. It again takes on the topic of never-ending strive for recognition. But it also honestly tackles issues of disability, trauma, substance abuse and suicide, and all the ugly that comes with being famous.

Part of the contemporary feel of the movie stems from the reworking of the characters. The female lead is not simply ambitious, and her male counterpart has way more complex issues than waning fame which drive him towards his unruly behavior. All their layers make for more tragic and realistic conflicts that ultimately arise between then, and they simply feel real. For this, we have to thank the first-time director Cooper for insisting Lady Gaga play the role. A pop star who was not a stranger to acting anymore either is packing the much-needed combo. She fully convinces about her character. However, the question remains if the charm was not only there because the story of Ally is partly a reflection of her own struggle in the music industry. One way or another, she has entered the big league now, and it is a challenge for her to follow up on this great performance.

Cooper took on the double role of a director and a lead star (quadruple, actually – he also produced and co-wrote the script) and it’s a whole new world for him. And not just because of singing. While he is no longer only a rom-com actor, he can still reach into those days and pull out the “handsome bad boy” image. Except that now there is a rugged and honest-to-God real quality about him as he adds layers and layers of personality on his character. But most importantly, what they created between them was an unexpectedly strong and magnetic presence both on stage and off it. Safe to say, it’s one of the best romantic duos of this decade’s cinema.

Trouble in paradise

Storytelling flows quite well despite a big change of pace after the initial whirlwind. While some of the best moments of the film are ultimately when there is no talking or singing at all, writing is quite good and works well enough to develop the problems the characters face in their lives and relationship. The progress of Jackson into the depths of his alcohol addiction is fleshed out and so is the connection to Ally’s parallel sinking into the traps of instant mainstream success. Being one of its biggest strengths, the film luckily does not shy away from tough, embarrassing, and raw moments in favor of a smoother and more pleasant film. Instead it uses the connection the viewer develops with the characters and lets us feel everything, good and bad.

However, it’s the songs that deliver the strongest emotional punches. Yes, everyone knows “Shallow” by now, but despite the overwhelming presence, the song is just unable to annoy. The film genuinely struck gold with this one. Lyrically simple, yet memorable and profound song outside of the movie and a true show-stopping moment in it. One of the most justified Oscar winners in the past decade. It’s just a shame that with all the attention the song got, other, more low-key greats were overlooked and remain buried in the soundtrack.

But leading up to the Academy Awards this year, there was a displeasure among A Star Is Born fans about the lack of nomination for the Best Director for Cooper – especially as pretty much everything else about the movie was nominated. While it is a solid directing debut, it’s just not quite there yet. There are some lapses, for example a too obvious work with foreshadowing which only added to the predictability of an already well-known story.

Yet overall the film is an unexpected success. With gripping atmosphere and a gutting end which certainly gives La La Land the run for its money, A Star is Born is not afraid to get unpleasant and seriously establishes both Gaga as an actor and Cooper as a director. But through the charm of the surprising pair of leads, it also offers heartwarming moments in a way a romantic movie hasn’t done in quite some time.

TL;DR: The fourth rendition of the same story brings surprisingly contemporary feel and completely fresh emotions. The leads are charming, the soundtrack is filled with quality songs, and despite some lapses in screenplay and directing, A Star is Born pulls in and makes you feel things.

9/10

Don’t have enough of A Star is Born? Then read the piece about the treatment of invisible disability in the movie.