A Star Is Born

I was skeptical about this film, but it ended up being enjoyable, touching, and Bradley Cooper deserves much admiration for his acting, directing, writing and singing. Lady Gaga has already shown in American Horror Story that she can act too and here she just strongly confirms it and I hope she gets a well-deserved Oscar. The highlight for me was Ally's first appearance on stage, she literally brings the whole stadium down with her voice. I also praise the well-chosen songs. A solid film for the genre, but I'm not the target audience. 75%. (30/12/2018)

I knew I was getting into rather unfriendly waters as a viewer, but the mostly enthusiastic responses and the Oscar buzz were too strong – if only I could have resisted. A nicely made and very well acted cloying flick with great story potential, but somehow drowning in booze like Bradley’s character. The beginning and the introduction of the characters are good, the first joint stage scene is heart-warming thanks to the beautiful songs, but the rest goes on a motivationally shaky narrative mode that taps on a lot of themes, but none to the extent they would deserve. It seems as if nobody had time to ponder what this story should be about: the rise of an “ugly duckling” into the music industry elite, or the complicated relationship of two talented people with a focus on the alcoholism and the health problems of one of them; in the end, the script aims somewhere between both and never delivers the longed-for catharsis. It’s a pity, because the music and the distinctive characters alone deserved a better movie. (21/01/2019)

The story may be all cliche, but if it captivates me so much, should I mind? Why would I? A Star Is Born is a great film with great performances (excellent actor Bradley Cooper sings excellently and excellent singer Lady Gaga acts excellently), shot with a familiar sure hand (perhaps producer Clint Eastwood gave a bit of advice?) and with a great soundtrack composed from original songs, each of which could be a hit. I'm just happy enough to give it five stars. (30/11/2018)

Full force in all directions. Jack and Ally manage to be grandiose, majestic, melodramatic, and in love. And that's why I'm so glad that Bradley Cooper, despite his maximum scale, can afford such swagger in the director's chair that he stops at all the key plot points. He knows that everyone is waiting for intersections where they have a few seconds to think, and deep down, he knows that this burning moment will decide the direction the rest of his life will take. That's why even the audience, along with the main duo, gladly pauses at such crossroads a little longer, to let every choice resonate, to let every correct decision spread warmth throughout the body, and every wrong one cut decently deep. Both participants give outstanding tour-de-force performances and provide a well-deserved ride for the film, which will first demolish box offices and then the various awards ceremonies before quickly becoming a golden classic. We're far from the shallow now. (09/10/2018)

Surprisingly mature filmmaking. Bradley Cooper manages to sell both the big concert scenes and the small intimate ones where two people talk with complete ease. He gives quite possibly the best performance of his career, and Lady Gaga definitely deserves all the awards she picks up. Even the songs can move or tear you up and it's awfully good to watch. The only major complaint might be a certain predictability and schematicism, but on the other hand, in this case it would be unfair to the film to criticize it. This is exactly what it promised and delivered and in a highly superior performance. A film that is honest, functional and superbly shot and acted, and moving. (04/10/2018)