Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Theater review. Possible spoilers. I remember when I first learned that this movie was going to be remade, I asked myself why. The story had been made into film 3 previous times and that doesn’t include the 1932’s “What Price Hollywood” which is essentially the same plot. Or numerous other films that “borrow” the essential theme. Anyone remember 2011’s Oscar winning “The Artist?” I thought maybe the lead characters would be switched. That might be interesting. Nope. Another surprise is that this would be Bradley Cooper’s first directing assignment. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Eli Roth and Will Fetters. And he is also a producer and lead actor. Cooper plays Jackson Maine, an alcoholic rocker who is revered by music lovers everywhere. But he’s starting to slip as the booze and drugs begin to take their toll. I sat up in my chair quickly when the Dolby Atmos equipped theater began with Maine’s first song called “Black Eyes.” For the record, I’m not sure Cooper can actually play guitar, but he can sing and is quite good at it. His backup band is Lukas Nelson (Willie’s son) and “Promise of the Real.” Nelson co-wrote most of the original songs in the film. After the concert, Maine decides to stop for yet another drink and lands in a drag bar in a seedy part of town. There he meets cute with a waitress who has a part-time gig singing at the club. Ally (Lady Gaga) used to work there and the owner allows her to sing. She sings a sensational version of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose.” Even drunk, Maine recognizes talent…and can’t take his eyes off her. He picks her up and they get to know each other as he nurses her fist after she cold-cocks a patron who is bothering Maine at another bar. Ally is a bit shy, convinced her nose is too big and not confident about her own songwriting. I’m a sucker for films that take the time to show how songs are created. And Cooper takes the time. He also allows for full songs to be sung in the film. And what great songs there are. At Oscar time, I could come up with a full slate coming from this film alone. The standout is “Shallow” which I guarantee will win. Early on as Maine performs at a large concert, he coaxes a reluctant Ally standing in the wings to come out and perform a duet. Her face brightens as it all works and she soaks in the applause and admiration from the large audience. Note: The big crowd scenes were shot during a Willie Nelson concert at Coachella and Glastonbury. As time passes, Jack (her nickname for him) and Ally become a couple, eventually marrying. It is clear that the chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is real which makes the romance ever more convincing. As Jack’s drinking and drugs continue, he is a strong promoter of his wife’s. She gets a top record producer, Rez Gavron (Rafi Gavron), to manage her career. He wants her to become a pop star, ala Brittany or Katy, with synchronized dancers and lots of dazzling production. Even as Jack falters, he encourages Ally to be who she is, not what someone else thinks she should be. In perhaps Cooper’s best performance, he manages to make Maine’s character sympathetic, even likeable even as he goes deeper into the bottle and says hurtful things to Ally. She recognizes he has a disease.This is mostly missing from the early versions of the story, except for Frederick March in the 1937 version. Cooper and Gaga will certainly gain attention at Oscar time but I would also recognize Sam Elliott as Jack’s older brother, Bobby. He mostly raised Jack when their dad died. If you are wondering why Jack’s voice sounds so much like Bobby, well he stole it. It is actually a plot point. Other smaller but notable performances come from Dave Chappelle as “Noodles” Stone, a good friend of Jackson’s and Andrew Dice Clay as Ally’s father, Lorenzo. Also Anthony Ramos as Ally’s gay best friend Ramon. There is so much going for this big film that surprised me. The acting, the cinematography (Matthew Libatique), the sound, the editing and the other technical aspects are top notch. And don’t forget the music. All original with contributions from Mark Ronson and Jason Isbell in addition to Cooper, Gaga and Nelson. This is the best movie I’ve seen this year. Highly recommended.