"Look, talent comes everywhere, but having something to say and a way to say it... that's a whole other bag. And unless you get out and you try to do it, you'll never know. That's just the truth..." This is the heart and soul of A Star Is Born. This musical romantic drama film produced and directed by Bradley Cooper (in his directorial debut), and written by Cooper, Eric Roth and Will Fetters. It is the fourth remake of the original 1937 film, after the 1954 musical, the 1976 rock musical, and the 2013 Bollywood romance film. The film follows seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers-and falls in love with-struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer - until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
In 2011, talks of a remake of A Star Is Born began, with Clint Eastwood attached to direct, Beyoncé set to star, and a Kurt Cobain-inspired script penned by Fetters. For several years, the film lingered in development hell, after Beyoncé's pregnancy. Various actors were approached to co-star, these included; Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Selena Gomez, Kesha, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, Rihanna, Shakira, and Esperanza Spalding. In March 2016, Cooper signed on to star and direct, and, in August, Lady Gaga signed on to play the female lead. By May 2017, Sam Elliot, Andrew Dice Clay, Rafi Gavron, Michael Harney, and Dave Chappelle joined the cast. Principal photography began in April, and production was completed over a forty-two-day shoot. Locations included Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and Pyramid Stage of Glastonbury festival. The look of the film was said to be inspired by a Metallica concert Cooper saw when he was sixteen years old. The musical performances were done live as it was Gaga who pushed for this, since she always hated watching movies where the actors were not lip-syncing correctly to the songs. To avoid this and get it right they needed to sing live for the film. This was what caused Cooper to get more extensive vocal training. Many of the songs in the film were written by Lukas Nelson (son of country music singer Willie Nelson) and Lady Gaga, and produced by Mark Ronson.
The film stars Cooper, Lady Gaga, Elliott, Clay, Gavron, Harney, and Chappelle. There's not a single wrong note in any of the performances given by the cast. Cooper gave an amazingly adept, heartfelt performance as the doomed musician. Lady Gaga gives a stellar turn as the young, struggling, aspiring singer, whose tender chemistry with Cooper works entirely. Her fantastic and surprising acting chops shows to the best advantage her already incredible musical talent.
Simon says A Star Is Born (2018) receives:
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