"A Star Is Born" (2018) Review

“A Star Is Born”: a sure bet winner for “Best Picture” at the 2019 Oscars. 

Directed by: Bradley Cooper 

Rated: R

Runtime: 2:17

Review by: Livi Edmonson

Certified fresh at a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, “A Star Is Born” is this season’s first taste of Oscar gold. First-time director and co-writer of the film, Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper, plays Jackson Maine, a famous singer who has been around the music scene for quite some time. One night, a drunken as usual Jackson accidentally stumbles into a drag bar and meets Ally (Lady Gaga): an aspiring singer with the most stunning voice Jackson has ever heard.

Jackson brings Ally out of her shell by giving her hopes of a real singing career and a chance at loving relationship. However, there are always obstacles on this road of fame and love. As Ally’s career begins to lift off, Jackson’s seems to slow down, resulting in him turning to his addictions and inner demons to help him cope.

To describe “A Star Is Born” as exquisite is an absolute understatement. I tried my best to keep a critical mindset but, in the end, I was never able to find any flaws within the film. The writing and the story itself is fantastic, but of course we can blame some of this on the 1976 film it is adapted from. 

Now, here is what you need to know about this film when it comes to the 2019 Academy Awards. Bradley Cooper does an outstanding job with the direction of the film and really captures the rawness and vulnerability of fame that is often not shown to the public. You can tell that Cooper thinks highly of Lady Gaga and that she is, indeed, the “star” of his film because even in her simplest moments, she steals the camera’s eyes. Audiences can definitely assume that Cooper will receive his first nomination for “Best Director” this awards season. As mentioned not too long ago, the writing is unique and intriguing, so we can also expect a “Best Adapted Screenplay” nomination in the future.

The one award I can guarantee right now is a “Best Actress” win for singer-turned-actress, Lady Gaga. Her voice is of course, unlike any other and the songs she sings easily serve as the most entertaining piece of the film. Not to mention that Gaga is unsurprisingly an extraordinary actress, intoxicating audiences everywhere with her flawed, yet relatable and down to earth character that will undoubtedly keep audiences craving more. I could very well be wrong, but as of right now, there is not a doubt in my mind that Lady Gaga will sweep the “Best Actress” category at every awards show this year.

I have already discussed the vision Bradley Cooper created for “A Star Is Born” as the film’s director, but now it is time to break down his character and his portrayal of him. Cooper effortlessly transformed into a rugged, carefree addict and Rockstar in the film. I have to give props to the hair and makeup team too for this transformation because it takes a serious amount of work to make Bradley Cooper look terrible. (Ladies, I know you agree). However, although his character is at most times, an absolute train wreck in the movie, his through the roof chemistry with Gaga forces his audience to fall in love with him anyways. I do see a “Best Actor” nomination in his future, but definitely not a for sure win like Lady Gaga.

For a film to win “Best Picture” at the Academy Awards it has to be very different and special. This film is a classic Hollywood type of film with just enough spunk to make it stand out from its competition. As mentioned earlier, this film is flawless in my opinion and I can bet on it right now that this film is the “La La Land” of the 2019 awards season and will absolutely dominate in every category it is nominated in, especially “Best Picture”.

As most people probably already know, music is a huge part of the film and this is just another element of the film that is nothing short of spectacular. Sound tracked by songs that are best described as Alt-Rock meets Outlaw Country, the film can also be expected to be nominated, if not win, for its golden, hearty songs at the Oscars this year. 

All in all, “A Star Is Born” is cinematic perfection. It will tug on your heart strings in the best way possible and present to you a story that feels realistic and not artificial like many other stories that deal with the subject of fame. Though, I will give a fair warning: the film is rated “R” and the rating definitely suits the movie, so keep that in mind if you are contemplating bringing your young one. But if you are of age, you should definitely rush to your nearest theater to see this film because it will easily be one of the greatest ones you have seen in a while, if not the greatest one you have ever seen. Yes, it is that good. Go see it for yourself.