Watching A Star is Born is like listening to a familiar song with an outstanding new melody. The fourth Hollywood remake of the 1937 film, including the occasionally poor 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, this musical romantic drama is one of the best of 2018, sure to attract a load of Oscar nods, and a rare piece of cinema that demands repeat viewings.

If you’ve seen any of the older versions, then you are likely cognisant of the story. Here, Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is a country/rock music legend in the twilight of his career, with his wheels only in motion thanks to the diminishing returns fuel consisting of drugs and alcohol. Enter the young woman that helps him rediscover himself: Ally Campana-Maine (Lady Gaga), a nightclub singer/performer who happens to be a brilliant songwriter he comes across by chance at a drag bar. Struck by her star quality and voice at the performance, her beauty as her makeup comes off, then her nerve as she punches an intrusive fan, and finally her soul as she floors him with soulful lyrics, Maine is quickly enamoured with her, believing that the world deserves to see her realise her potential. The rest of the film is about their journey as the duo share a tale that is both delightful and affecting.

This will sound like a cliché but A Star is Born may as well be referring to its two leads. As a director, Bradley Cooper has put together a mesmerising heartfelt drama that will likely be considered for Best Picture at the Oscars, a dream achievement for a first-time director. He is also a revelation as an actor. From comedic roles such as the Hangover series to serious steps such as Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Sniper (2014), he certainly has displayed talent before, but nothing prepared me for his embodiment of an ageing musician. There is something magnetic about him here, with a deep Southern voice right at home in a spaghetti Western, a certain swagger, and the portrayal of a soul battling inner demons. Perhaps the most impressive thing is his singing, moulded by over a year of training. To be honest, his songs are so good you may have trouble believing it’s him and not a seasoned Top 40 musician.

In A Star is Born, Bradley Cooper puts together a mesmerising heartfelt drama that will likely be considered for Best Picture at the Oscars, a dream achievement for any first-time director

Then there is the brilliant Lady Gaga like you’ve never seen her before, quite literally and figuratively. Famous for her elaborate costumes and make-up, as an actor she goes back to the basics and initially comes across as vulnerable without her signature attire. When her character talks about her insecurities, we feel that there is a truth that goes beyond the narrative. I enjoyed how in Ally Campana-Maine’s characterisation she comes across as a strong-willed woman who only wants to rise to the top on her terms.

Aside from the acting, Lady Gaga’s music in A Star is Born is simply awesome. In casting the pop star, Bradley Cooper said that he was looking for a nuclear component to the film, and like Barbara Streisand in 1976, Lady Gaga blows us away here. But unlike Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga is equally explosive as an actor. A Star is Born would have crashed soon after it took off had Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper not made a believable couple, but their chemistry here sizzles. The relationship comes across as so authentic that you honestly believe the two share genuine feelings.

The memorable performances in A Star is Born don’t end with the leads. Sam Elliott (Bobby Maine) delivers a small but terrific turn as Jackson Maine’s older brother. As the guy who has taken care of him, Sam Elliot once again plays the strong-silent Southerner role, but with an air of vulnerability. There is a scene where the two siblings have an emotional moment that ends with a quick shot of Bobby Maine backing away in a vehicle. Everything that describes his character and his deep and complex relationship with his brother is written on his face in a moment that gave me goosebumps even on my second viewing, and even now as I write this review.

Of course, A Star is Born is a delight for audiophiles. The sound stage and editing on offer is music to the ears. If you’ve ever spent a whole week finding the right cans for your ear or perfecting the audio set-up for your home cinema, then the Blu-Ray is an automatic pre-order. I particularly loved how A Star is Born captured the deafening nature of being on stage.

Certainly, it will remind you of the time when you got your front-row seat at a rock concert. If the film has a weakness, it’s in the occasionally abrupt pacing and editing of the final act that often feels stylistic but occasionally choppy, especially during sequences that would have been served with more screen time. These nitpicks aside, A Star is Born is pitch perfect, hitting all the right notes and then some.

Rated R for language, sexuality/nudity and substance abuse

Published in Dawn, ICON, November 4th, 2018