By SF/Staff writer
The first half of A Star is Born is really great. I love the opening. I loved his singing. I didn’t entirely buy that he stumbles into a drag bar, meets Gaga, and sparks fly…but I went along with it. I think he did a great job of making the story contemporary. Bradley Cooper was the true star of that movie; he brought such authenticity and passion to the character. The previous movies were more about the female leads, but in this version the male lead becomes a little clearer and more interesting than just a fading rock god.
Having said that…the second half is meh, except they really do work together well. But the story is definitely ‘off’ and he introduced pieces into the story that he can’t explore because it’s too much…though there is a whole other great story about his history that just fades, so maybe it’s not important. I heard Bradley Cooper explain why he did the movie and honestly, his explanation was clearer than I thought the movie was.
Here’s my last comment. I’m a big blubber-puss, I love to cry in movies. But with A Star is Born, I did not shed one tear. I heard someone in the audience whimper and I realized, “Yikes, I’m supposed to be emotionally engaged.” I wasn’t really. I think they got a lot of the ‘love’ stuff down, but once they’re together, the story really falls apart, for me. He didn’t do enough to engage me in either of their stories. If anything, I was thinking, “What happened to those amazing people I just met in the first half?” The second half is predictable and not in the, “I’ve seen all versions of this movie” way. You just knew what was going to happen next. I would still recommend it, I just have to say this about that.
I’m glad I got to see it and I think Bradley Cooper did a great job of making the story relevant. I love Cooper and Lady Gaga together. It’s def worth seeing.
Also in the film; Sam Elliott, Anthony Ramos, Lukas Nelson, Andrew Dice Clay, and Dave Chappelle. A Star is Born is in theaters now.
