A Star is Born represents a significant achievement for Bradley Cooper, who not only starred in the lead role but also directed, produced, co-wrote music, performed vocals, and co-authored the screenplay. This is a remarkable accomplishment for the actor, previously known primarily for his acting roles. A Star is Born is technically a remake, based on previous adaptations of the original 1937 film. The 1954 musical version featured Judy Garland and James Mason, followed by a 1976 rock musical reinterpretation starring Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. The 2018 version, while sharing the fundamental premise, distinguishes itself from its predecessors. This remake spent over 12 years in development at Warner Bros., with Clint Eastwood once slated to direct and Beyoncé considered for the lead role.
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper – Oscar-nominated for Best Actor) is portrayed as a celebrated American country-rock artist, reportedly inspired by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Maine grapples with substance abuse and a complex relationship with his older brother, Bobby (Sam Elliot – Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor), who serves as his tour manager. Seeking solace after a performance, Jackson encounters the exceptionally talented Ally Campana (Lady Gaga – Oscar-nominated for Best Actress) at a bar. Ally’s rendition of Edith Piaf is particularly striking. Their connection deepens, and Jackson encourages Ally’s songwriting and artistic development. This ultimately leads to her discovery by a prominent manager and the subsequent launch of her soaring career. However, Jackson’s struggles intensify, placing their relationship and their respective successes in jeopardy.
A Star is Born presents a relatively contained, personal narrative that emphasizes its characters and their music. The on-screen chemistry between Cooper and Gaga (or Stephanie Germanotta) is compelling. Despite her previous acting experience, this role could be considered a defining moment, similar to Eminem’s lauded performance in 8 Mile, where he effectively portrayed a version of himself, a feat that often proves more challenging than perceived. Over the past decade, Lady Gaga has evolved from a captivating and innovative LGBTQ+ artist with a penchant for Eurodisco into a prominent songwriter and live performer. Currently, she commands sold-out performances in Las Vegas, with ticket prices ranging from 4,000 to an astounding 25,000 SEK. Cooper directs with assurance and incorporates an array of unexpected supporting roles, featuring primarily comedians such as Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle, and Eddie Griffin, who all deliver convincing performances.
The UHD release presents a somewhat inconsistent visual experience. While the cinematography by Matthew Libatique (Darren Aronofsky’s frequent collaborator) displays finesse, it also incorporates deliberate distortions in lighting and color, despite being filmed digitally in HD at 3.4K. Certain scenes appear washed out, exhibiting noise, artifacts, and atypical color reproduction, particularly in HDR. Conversely, other scenes offer commendable sharpness and color contrast, and the concluding scene featuring Gaga’s performance delivers the visual fidelity expected of a 4K transfer. Overall, the 4K image with HDR surpasses the standard Full HD image with SDR on Blu-ray.
The audio, initially configured to the DTS-HD MA 7.1 track, benefits from being experienced in Dolby Atmos (also available on the Blu-ray version) when possible, providing enhanced detail, level, and bass. However, the audio reproduction varies, transitioning from engaging and deep bass during Jackson’s initial performance to a less immersive experience during the concert scenes. While the dialogue is appropriately positioned in the midrange, the sound mix could have potentially enhanced the musical aspects of the film.
The extras on the 4K disc consist primarily of song bookmarks, which may appeal to some viewers. More substantial content resides on the included Blu-ray version, featuring a 30-minute documentary (“The making of a star”). While the documentary could have offered insightful perspectives on Cooper’s directorial debut, it largely consists of self-congratulatory commentary. A more candid commentary track, given Cooper’s extensive involvement in the production, would have been preferable.
A Star is Born has garnered polarized reactions from critics, but has generally resonated positively with audiences, demonstrating the enduring appeal of emotion and heartfelt storytelling in film. The film conveys a familiar message, but its strength lies in the interplay between characters, their relationships, and the quality of the music. Gaga rightfully earned an Oscar for the film’s popular track, Shallow, and the soundtrack includes several other noteworthy songs. Despite this recognition, the film received no other awards at the ceremony. As one director (anonymously) stated, “no one loves someone who has everything,” perhaps alluding to Bradley Cooper’s combination of talent, appearance, and knowledge gained from esteemed directors like Clint Eastwood and David O. Russell.
For those who appreciate romance and creative expression, A Star is Born is a worthwhile viewing experience. The UHD release offers improvements over the Blu-ray version, but the enhancements may not justify the price difference. Consider opting for the Blu-ray version or exploring opportunities to win a copy of A Star is Born. This is a film that merits inclusion in a personal collection and periodic revisits.
