A Star Is Born
Cert: 15A; Opens Wednesday
“The same story told over and over,” sighs Sam Elliot in the final act of this latest incarnation of the muso-romance staple. His character is referring to the basics of songwriting but the inference is that a story like this — musicians falling in love as their careers move in opposite trajectories — will never go out of fashion.
The last outing for the tale was 1976, with Barbra Streisand as the aspiring singer whose career is mentored by the rock star (Kris Kristofferson) she falls in love with, and whom she ultimately overtakes. Fitting into their mould like a glove are Lady Gaga and co-star, co-writer and director Bradley Cooper.
Cooper’s debut outing at the helm is a thoroughly convincing one in almost every respect. In terms of chemistry, a rich natural register is struck between the duo that makes them transfixing to behold.
Jack (Cooper) is the jaded, ginsoaked rocker whose demons are kept at bay by music. Ally (Gaga) is the nightclub singer who gets whisked into Cinderella-land by their chance encounter and his belief that she has what it takes. A sonorous screen romance blooms in front of our eyes before the inevitable tragedy of the final act takes hold.
Like many films about musical lives, the rhythms of ascent and descent can seem hurried, but in a way the tunes are a sideshow here. Cooper took guitar and singing lessons for the role, and pulls it off with aplomb beside Gaga’s more seasoned chops.
It is in looks or embraces where this film really sings, however. One small moment between Jack and his brother Bobby (Elliot, in majestic form), for example, will reduce even the toughest of cookies to a sobbing mess. You have been warned.
HILARY A WHITE