A Star Is Born                     5 stars

The film that is being talked about as the movie of the year has finally arrived.  There has been a lot of hype building over the new remake of “A Star Is Born” starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in the lead roles and I can dare say it has lived up to the hype.  Cooper who is an accomplished actor is not just the star as country rock singer Jackson Maine, but also co-wrote and directed Star.  Lady Gaga already an amazing musician is in her first starring role as Ally, the talented singer songwriter who has been trying to make it in a tough business, but whose attempts are only met with disappointment.  When the two meet, the romance starts and her career takes off, while he slowly deteriorates as he is sunk by alcoholism and drug abuse.  It is a very familiar tale as it has been done three times before, twice about Hollywood actors, then in 1976 about musicians with Barbra Streisand.  This time it is again about the music industry, but Gaga makes her part completely believable since without all the makeup and glitter we know her for, she looks quite ordinary and not attractive. We can believe it when the industry says she doesn’t have the looks.  I am told that Cooper actually learned to change his voice and does a remarkable job as a singer for this role.  In the scene where Jackson forces Ally on stage at his own show and gets her to sing her own song, it becomes unforgettable as she belts out the song that will be long remembered.  The scenes between the two stars seem completely real and believable as they are obviously falling for each other.  I cannot leave Sam Elliot’s role unmentioned as Bobby, the older brother of Jackson who raised him after their father died and who stands watch as Jackson slowly destroys himself.  The story is of course very familiar as one performer rises to stardom while her partner falls to his demons and can only drag down her career with him.  This new version of A Star Is Born should not be missed.  It will be talked about for months and I will bet that it will receive no less than ten Academy Award nominations next year.