4/5 Stars

The horses are off and running, and the race has officially begun. Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper, “The Avengers: Infinity War”) is a rock star who sells out stadiums but doubles as an alcoholic and drug addict with tinnitus. After one of his shows, he wanders into a drag bar where he sees Ally (Lady Gaga), a waitress with an incredible voice who has been looked over by every major studio because of the shape of her nose, who moonlights as a singer at said bar. The two lock eyes, and the rest is set for one of the most heartfelt, emotionally investing and ultimately tragic film experiences of the year.

“A Star is Born” is a unique find because it is the third remake, with the original 1937 film starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March being remade twice, once in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason, and again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. It is also Cooper’s directorial debut, as his interest and passion for storytelling, particularly with this one, was expressed heavily in his one-on-one chat with Robert DeNiro at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

Granted, this film does check off all the boxes for the imaginary Oscar ballot. First-time director, musical, love story and remake of a famous and beloved Hollywood story are all aspects that impact a film significantly for awards. The Academy has in fact been criticized heavily, as, up until two years ago, the Best Picture winner usually had something to do with Hollywood (i.e., “The Artist,” “Argo” and “Birdman”).

The difference with this film that sets it apart from the usual mold of Oscar-bait movies is that this one really doubles down on the heart factor. This was some of the most emotionally driven content of the entire year, and that was so refreshing to see. So many films now try to capture what it means to be in love without striving for what makes it genuine, and it has made for a lot of dull content over the years. Cooper’s long career in front of the camera and working with some of the absolute best that Hollywood have to offer has given him a unique position and take, and it places him next on the long list of actors who transitioned to directing to upgrade their career. He gives absolutely one of the most standout, rocksteady, gripping emotional performances of the year. Audiences buy him 100 percent as a grizzled rock star alcoholic who once had it big but has most definitely lost a lot of what made him big to begin with.

Enter Lady Gaga. The artist formerly known as Stephanie Joanne Angelina Germonatta has had a long reputation of showing off some very bombastic and over-the-top, diva-like costumes and performances in her decade-long singing career. Because of this, it is so refreshing to see how subtle she is in quite possibly the best female performance of the whole year. From the minute she enters the screen, she is an absolute joy to watch, for all the right reasons. She is drop-dead-gorgeous, but not in a show-off kind of way. Her chemistry with everyone in the film is out of this world, from Cooper to her father, played by an unrecognizable Andrew Dice Clay (“Vinyl”).

A love story only works if the chemistry between the two leads works, and there is so much chemistry oozing off the screen, it will make audiences everywhere want to kiss the person next to them. The cinematography is a new level of amazing, the supporting cast is all fantastic, Sam Elliott in particular deserves an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor, and the soundtrack is the best in years. As a remake, “A Star is Born” offers its own unique take and edge to a decades-old story, and as a film, despite being technically flawed, particularly in the middle, it stands out as one of the best of the year.

Image from Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube