Logan Sork Film Reviews
A Star is Born
Fame is something that many people desire, but not many get. Just the idea of being recognized for our accomplishments around the globe by millions of people is something that many people desire deep down. What many people fail to realize however, is that fame and success are two-way streets. Many people see fame as the ultimate goal in life and see how success can bring happiness and prosperity to their lives. What they fail to realize, however, is that fame brings its own challenges, both mental and physical and can drastically change lives for the worse. A Star is Born realizes this and presents a realistic grounded portrayal of fame, seeing it not only as a pathway to good things, but also shows the toll that it takes on people both mentally and physically.
A Star is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and is the 4th retelling of the story. The film follows Jackson Blaine (Cooper), a famous country singer who is struggling with a drinking problem and hearing issues. When he stops in a bar after one of his shows, he encounters Ally (Lady Gaga), a talented singer and song writer with issues of self-confidence. The two fall in love with one another as Jackson begins to help Ally break into the world of the music industry. As they begin to delve deeper into their journey, however, they come across obstacles and challenges that success brings and the two must struggle to maintain their relationship while also battling their own challenges.
The film’s portrayal of fame and success is unlike any other film I have seen before. There have been films where it is either portrayed in a good way or a bad way or one that is good initially, but eventually spirals into destruction. This film manages to walk a fine line, portraying not only the joys that success brings, but also the struggles and challenges it brings. It presents it as something that is both beneficial and difficult to the people who get it.
What really drives the message home are the performances and characters in the film. Both Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are excellent in their respective roles and it is the difference in their roles that really show the different effects that fame has on people. Cooper’s character is a veteran of the industry someone who has experienced fame for many years. Gaga’s character on the other hand is naïve and new to the industry. It is these differences in character status that presents just how much fame can affect someone’s life. For Gaga, the changes are new and exciting, but also challenging and frustrating. For Cooper, he is a little more used to it and is not so much affected by big change, but instead he must do battle with his own demons. This juxtaposition of experiences shows that no matter how long you have been successful, it will always have an impact on life, both mental and physical.
The film also deals with how fame impacts relationships just as much as the individual. The main romance between Ally and Jackson starts of as nothing more than a true romance. As the film progresses however, the relationship is warped by the fame each one experiences and the challenges that each one struggles with, which in term creates challenges for the other. Outside relationships with friends and family are also examined in a deep way, showing different relationship outcomes for different family members and friends, some good and others bad.
Aside from the story and message being brilliant, the technical side of the film is just as good. Cooper’s direction is excellent, showing that there is more to him than just an actor. The music is also excellent and shows the ups and downs of the path to success just as well as the story does.
My problems with this film are extremely minimal. I feel that the film goes on for a few minutes too long, this could easily been fixed by removing a few unnecessary scenes. The film’s editing and camera work were also strange at some points. It felt as if some small moments of the film were missing, not crucial moments but moments that would help the flow of certain scenes. These were barely noticeable however.
This film is an excellent look into the world of fame. It shows not only the ups but also the downs and presents those aspects in a way in which both are inevitable when fame is achieved. The story and characters are excellent as are the performances and direction, allowing for A Star is Born to be one of the best films of the year. A film that is just as beautiful as it is tragic about the costs of fame and success.
8.5/10