‘Blu-ray or Bust’ - A STAR IS BORN

‘Blu-ray or Bust’

A STAR IS BORN (2018, R, 136 minutes, MGM/WARNER BROS.)

Bradley Cooper can just have my damn money. Seriously; if I could figure out how to have my paycheck directly deposited to his account, I would.

It isn’t that A STAR IS BORN is a perfect movie—it is not supposed to be, and it is not. The characters are flawed, there is a slight issue with pacing, and, call me nostalgic, but this iteration of the classic tale is occasionally too smart for its own good.

But…DAMN. For his directorial debut, Mr. Cooper certainly did tackle a timeless cinematic tale, and he did so with a sure and confident hand. They say that actors make great directors, and that is certainly the case here. Not only is his own performance outstanding, but what he gets from pop artist Lady Gaga is astounding. I knew she had a great voice, but to see how much she’s grown as an actress since her questionable turn in “American Horror Story” is one of several high points.

Another is Mr. Cooper’s own ability to sing. At one point in the film I wondered, briefly, if there isn’t anything the man can’t do. I admired his performance in LIMITLESS, and fell in love with his artistry in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. But his layered performance here is predictably heartbreaking. We know from the start that Mr. Cooper’s Jackson Maine is a troubled man; he is a self-destructive alcoholic, one with a troubled family past that nearly ended with his own death. It seems that his voice is really all that he has left—that, and a brother that is getting tired of his crap (Sam Elliot, the film’s hesitant conscience). But Jackson is a star, and everyone just seems to want to make him happy, and not necessarily do what is best for him. Enter Lady Gaga’s Ally, a waitress who performs once a week at a drag bar. Her mastery of a French song gets Jackson’s attention, and it is there that their love affair begins.

That is one of the tricks of the story by Eric Roth (MUNICH, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON) and Mr. Cooper; this isn’t just a simple story of two people that fall in love. It is also about the love they feel for what they do. As Ally comes into her own, exploring her own voice and where in the competitive world of music her voice belongs, we witness the love between her and Jackson change. Such layered performances make these distinctive characters resonate, makes their particular journeys that much more meaningful.

Of course I’m going to tell you to purchase this on Blu-ray—it is necessary for the soundtrack alone. But there is also a certain raw beauty to cinematographer Matthew Libatique’s (VENOM, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON) eye; he follows the goings on as a voyeur, giving us up close and personal views of the dramatic realities playing out through the characters. There are several special features included in the release, including a 30-minute long behind-the-scenes which includes interviews with just about everyone. But there are also additional performances that were cut from the initial release, all of which are must-see’s if you enjoyed the concert performances.

Next up for Mr. Cooper is a biopic concerning Leonard Bernstein. Once again, he’ll star and direct. Can someone please get me his address? I’ve already got a money order for him…

Film Grade: B+

Special Features: A

Blu-ray Necessary: Most Definitely

-- T.S. Kummelman