A Star Is Born

[peter]

I've never been over keen on actor/producer/director films - them all being the same person that is - they smack of vanity projects to me - and Bradley Cooper's A Star Is Born has done nothing to dispel this aversion. Apparently this is the third time this story has been told on celluloid - I remember a big furore back in the 70's ? when a Kristopherson/Streisand movie of the same name gained plaudits, but I didn't see that one or indeed the one that apparently came before that. All I can say is on the strength of the Cooper version I'm glad. The film hauled it's way through it's turgid story with ne'er a high spot to lift the spirits nor a good tune to tap ones toe to. Cooper was a red eyed mess from start to finish and GaGa was - well - gaga. How he managed to make her dull was a feat almost deserving of the anti equivalent of an Oscar itself. I'll never be able to look at her again without knowing that under all that fake glam is a normal workaday human just like you and me; a little bit of the magic of the world has died. I stuck with it, too poisoned by it's lethargy inspiring pall to move pluntil the call of nature eventually rescued me from its clutches about two minutes from the end. Would that it had done so two minutes from the beginning instead!

[StevieG]

Well, that's interesting Peter. It goes to show that we're all different

I thought it was an excellent film, and the two main characters played their parts realistically and convincingly. Lady Gaga displayed her musical talent without all the glamour and glitz. Her real life friend passed away hours before her final performance in the film, and added an emotional impact that I'm astounded you didn't feel. But, each to their own I guess.

[peter]

Indeed StevieG - I would have it no other way. Mark Kermode, a highly respected film critic in the UK really liked it and sung it's praise from on high for no short while.

Glad you enjoyed it.

[dlbpharmd]

This is the 4th time this story has been told on the silver screen.

Cooper was great and IMO did a better job than LG. The music isn't good overall, but "Shallow" is incredible. I actually like LG very much, and one thing I really liked about the film is that Cooper had her act in an honest way - eg showing her real self image issues in Allie's character as well.

I can't believe that Sam Elliott was nominated for best supporting actor - it seemed like he wasn't on screen for more than a couple of minutes. I think he's an amazing actor, and I've followed many of his roles over the years, from "Rough Riders" to "Gettysburg" to "We Were Soldiers."

Overall, I think this film is a bit overrated.

[High Lord Tolkien]

I loved it.
After I saw it I needed IMDB to confirm Andrew Dice Clay was in it. I didn't believe it.

[Cagliostro]

A Star Is Bored
Yeah, I saw it, and was overall pretty difficult to remain interested. I think the story is feeling a bit dated now, but they did a pretty good job with it. I don't like Lady Gaga, but it was nice to see her drop all the pretense and give some honest performances. For that, I liked it.
I also like the lines about the music being about truth. That rang home, and I found it interesting that when she started her career it was off to the glamour, the dancing, the backup dancers, and blah. Because typically that is the direction female singers get pushed into who have some fame these days. At least the ones that can't figure it out themselves.
I do think the performances were good, but the story just felt weighted down by the past.