Zane's take at the Cinema's

A Star Is Born follows the same story as the previous versions, but it’s the 1976 movie with Barbra Streisand that’s closest to Cooper’s vision – with some major changes. This version of Maine may be drunk and popping pills 24/7, but he still is capable of selling out concert arenas and giving incredible performances. When Maine runs out of booze in his car, he enters a drag bar and meets Ally (Lady Gaga), a singer so good the drag queens allow her (a woman) to have her own show. As with every Hollywood love story involving a celebrity, Jackson instantly falls for Ally as she is seemingly the only woman on Earth that treats him for what he is – a drunk.

First time director, Bradley Cooper, deftly creates intimacy between Jackson and Ally, without which the story would certainly not be as successful. In stadiums housing thousands of fans, in small dressing rooms packed with screaming Drag Queens, in a loud dive bar, in the parking lot of an all-night-grocer, Cooper uses tight framing and sound impeccably to make it seem like they’re the only two people in the world. You understand his charm, you see her vulnerability, and the two actors give side-by-side stellar performances.

Cooper takes the iconic role of the male star in decline and makes it his own, while at the same time paying homage to the actors that came before him. It helps that he is a hell of a good singer, and can stand toe to toe with someone as established as Lady Gaga and fool you into thinking he has as much experience as her. The music, much like it did with the trailer gets inside you, not just inside your head where you find yourself humming a gentle country lilt sang by Cooper, it gets inside your heart and soul and rattles around. It repeats over and over until you’re the one who doesn’t want to let go. While Cooper should be commended for taking his craft seriously and improving his singing, this is where Lady Gaga shines, to no one’s surprise.

It is a testament to Lady Gaga’s ability, because being such an iconic figure, if it weren’t for her conveyance of sincerity and humility, the character’s journey would seem forced and unfulfilling. Because of Gaga’s performance, however, you relish the moment Ally can finally embrace who she is and bravely belt out her songs with no inhibition. In a film with so many moments that grab you, the music is undeniably one of my favorite aspects. While Bradley Cooper’s character has the bigger dramatic arc in the second half, we have seen that plenty of times before. This version adds an extended third act that focuses on Ally and how she reacts to everything that’s happened to her so far, from her own career rise, and her relationship with Jackson, culminating in the film’s best song.

Every version of a Star is Born follows a broken celebrity, in the Winter of his career, damaged by years of drinking who is suddenly reborn when meeting a young ingénue. The two fall in love, but while their relationship develops, their entertainment careers go in different directions. This version of A Star Is Born is a refreshing take of this classic showbiz rise and fall tale, with updated character work, fantastic performances by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, and a soundtrack that will be stuck in your head for days.   Bradley Cooper manages to shine as the actor and the director, and pulls a performance from Lady Gaga that will break your heart. And of course, with this type of film, it will hinge on how good the music, and the musical performances.

My grade for A Star Is Born: A