A Star Is Born (2018)

Directed by Bradley Cooper 

Screenplay written by Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters 

Based on the 1954 screenplay written by Moss Hart and the 1976 screenplay written by John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion and Frank Pierson

Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott

          A Star Is Born is arguably the best film of 2018, hands down! I went into this movie a bit hesitant with Cooper's first time directing and Lady Gaga's first big acting gig outside of American Horror Story- but I can now say that my pre-screening worries were shattered after the first 15 minutes of the movie. 

     Jackson Maines (Bradley Cooper) is fresh off his most recent concert when the alcoholic rock-star stumbles into the closest bar to get his next drink. This bar happens to be a drag bar where Ally (Lady Gaga) is performing a sultry cover of "La Vie En Rose." After being moved to tears over the amazing voice behind this mystery girl, the two spend the night getting to know each other, where Ally discloses to him her struggles in becoming a musician. The next day, Jackson invites her to join him at his next gig, where she reluctantly gets on stage with him and performs everyones favorite, "Shallow." From there, the two go on tour together and their love story unfolds with many things trying to get in the way like drug addiction, alcoholism, jealously and one career sky rocketing as the other faces its downfall. 

     If I could pick a new tagline for this film it would be, "Who knew Bradley Cooper could direct and Lady Gaga could act?" I mean, we all had a feeling after her AHS days that she had the chops, but that was a very different project then this. Gaga did a fantastic job portraying this budding musician starving for fame turned mega pop-star. The most remarkable part is that Ally is nothing like Lady Gaga herself. A challenge you run into with an actual mega pop star playing a pop star on camera, is that the two are too similar. But Ally's music and overall look is different from that of Lady Gaga's actual music career and persona. Cooper not only does a fantastic job directing, but also playing an addict country/rock star. Who knew he was a decent singer? Sam Elliott deserves an honorable mention, as he plays Jackson's older brother/manager, Bobby. All three stars got acting nods at the Academy Awards while Gaga deservedly so took home the little gold man for best original song for "Shallow." 

     9/10