Having loved this in cinemas and having recently re-visited it on VOD, this seems as good a time as any to note down some thoughts.
I didn't like the much as much on re-watch as I did in the theatre, but I've left my initial score stand.
The things that worked for me the first time around still work now: the chemistry between the main characters (as well as generally interesting side characters), a fantastic performance by Lady Gaga (both musically and from an acting perspective), and some genuinely goosebumps generating moments (Ally getting pulled onto the stage for the first time, Ally's father comforting her, the final shot of the movie).
However, as many have noted, the movie's deficiencies became much clearer to me upon second viewing. For a movie called A Star Is Born, the second and third acts spend an inexplicably and indefensible amount of time dealing with the fading star that's Bradley Cooper's character.
It's unfortunate that this lack of focus robs us of the plot development we actually care about: Ally's professional success and the development she goes through - with and without a man by her side.
One last thing: the very final section is so close to perfection. Lady Gaga's singing, while acting, is unreal. The moment is so powerful... and then Bradley Cooper ruins it by filling it with flashbacks of stuff that happened during the last two hours of the movie. Don't worry dude - we haven't forgotten. I wish he'd shown a little bit more restraint and more confidence in Lady Gaga's performance, and the audience's ability to connect the dots.
All of those complaints aside, I still love this movie. It's emotional film-making, and it works.
Review by freinharVIP 10BlockedParent2019-02-13T11:50:23Z
Having loved this in cinemas and having recently re-visited it on VOD, this seems as good a time as any to note down some thoughts.
I didn't like the much as much on re-watch as I did in the theatre, but I've left my initial score stand.
The things that worked for me the first time around still work now: the chemistry between the main characters (as well as generally interesting side characters), a fantastic performance by Lady Gaga (both musically and from an acting perspective), and some genuinely goosebumps generating moments (Ally getting pulled onto the stage for the first time, Ally's father comforting her, the final shot of the movie).
However, as many have noted, the movie's deficiencies became much clearer to me upon second viewing. For a movie called A Star Is Born, the second and third acts spend an inexplicably and indefensible amount of time dealing with the fading star that's Bradley Cooper's character.
It's unfortunate that this lack of focus robs us of the plot development we actually care about: Ally's professional success and the development she goes through - with and without a man by her side.
One last thing: the very final section is so close to perfection. Lady Gaga's singing, while acting, is unreal. The moment is so powerful... and then Bradley Cooper ruins it by filling it with flashbacks of stuff that happened during the last two hours of the movie. Don't worry dude - we haven't forgotten. I wish he'd shown a little bit more restraint and more confidence in Lady Gaga's performance, and the audience's ability to connect the dots.
All of those complaints aside, I still love this movie. It's emotional film-making, and it works.