A Star is Born (WB)

The star is born scenario – in which one newcomer achieves success even as the stock of their more established partner is plummeting – is a classic Hollywood staple. Indeed this is the fourth drama to tackle the story, beginning with Janet Gaynor & Fredric March in 1937; followed by Judy Garland & James Mason in 1954 and Barbra Streisand & Kris Kristofferson in 1976. Bradley Cooper has chosen the time-honoured scenario as the basis for his directorial debut. But he’s gone further than that. He takes on producing, screenwriting and composing duties, while also playing the male lead and providing his own vocals.

For all these Herculean efforts, Bradley is overshadowed by Lady Gaga, who channels her inner Garland and Streisand to deliver a powerhouse performance that delivered a Golden Globe and an Oscar nod. Dramatically, this is an emotional rollercoaster of a movie with Cooper’s character sinking further into a cocktail of booze and pills while partner Gaga’s success continues unabated. As a director, Cooper is good at capturing the vibrancy of these performances (some filmed at real-life Gaga gigs), and he’s helped by Gaga’s compelling screen presence and towering voice. Also good are Sam Elliott and Andrew Dice Clay in support. If there’s one gripe, it’s that, since every generation produces its own Star is Born, this one could have said more about the role played by social media, paparazzi and 24-hour entertainment sites in the modern cult of celebrity. That gripe apart, there’s much to admire in Cooper’s impressive directorial debut. Blu-ray extras include a documentary, The Road to Stardom: Making A Star Is Born, plus a number of Gaga music videos, including Shallow and Always Remember Us This Way.