10/5/18 - A Star Is Born (2018) - 8/10

Riveted and mesmerized. That was me in the theater, surrounded by like-hearted souls, as my complete attention was consumed by the grace, the passion, the soul, and the artistry. A beautiful and sad tale of talent and torment, directly orchestrated and masterfully performed. An immense directorial debut that displayed a committed emotive vision beyond his experience, despite a workmanlike stripped down aesthetic.

Gaga was was both solid and naturalistic in her role but absolute dynamite on the mic. Cooper was marvelous, giving his best performance of his career and embodying his dialogue and twisted tumbleweed of human eros and error. I would also throw some love the way of Sam Elliot, providing that rock for which Cooper smashed into.

I appreciated the presentation of the dichotomy of musics expression and success between the sexes. Gaga was held back because of her “look” and once she was making it, she had to constantly provide sex appeal, providing that so-done-up appearance while also incorporating dance and changing who she seemed to be. The woman had to put on 3x the performance to be “worthy”. All Cooper had to do was drunkenly belt out gravelly ballads with his worn out look and greasy hair. It was subtext and a minor plot element that was never blatantly poked at, but I appreciated it.

I don’t know the last time I was so rapturously engrossed on the screen. There was a magnetism to their music and their performances, while blending so well into the “realness” of the film. There was an emotional core that resonated as magically as their amazing music. The instant chemistry between the actors, the songs, and the forever relevant story; it worked so well and the whole was spot on.

There was no flash or pomposity to the construction. Tight close ups and low motion vistas dominated, but there was a dynamism and electric aura that felt genuine and engrossing during the musical segments. The completeness of their success paired with the likability of the roles/actors/performances let this film truly sing and be heard in the heart.

There are few films that I have enjoyed, been sucked into, or appreciated more this year. It is hard to put my finger on the extra-ordinariness of the feature other than to say that the experience was marvelous. It cannot be said to be without a few flaws, but outstanding is certainly a fitting adjective.