The concept of a remake is something frowned upon by most cinephiles. When news breaks that another classic film is being remade, the question of why comes to the forefront. Where are Hollywood’s original ideas? Why remake an already established classic? Some could say studios want to bank on a remake being an instant hit or simply other ideas haven’t been good enough but then there are some occasions that not only does a remake strike gold but Oscar gold. As A Star is Born is released for the fourth time with 2018’s being its third remake, the concept of the remake may have to be reexamined as Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut may go down as one of the finest remakes of all time. 2018’s version of A Star is Born follows the same premise as its three predecessors but more in line with the 1976 remake which changes the roles from young actress to young musician. The film follows a young singer Ally (Lady Gaga) who works an everyday job trying to make ends meet with the hopes and dreams of a singing career. She eventually meets and falls in love with an established musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) only to find her career ascending while his goes into a steady decline.
As a huge fan of the original remake starring Judy Garland, I was very curious as to how this 2018 remake would fair especially after the long journey the film had with its production. After watching this film, I can say with confidence that production issues with both the cast and director may have been a blessing in disguise. The remake was first announced back in January of 2011. Before Cooper took the helm as director, Clint Eastwood was in talks to direct and the film would have starred Beyoncé. Beyoncé’s pregnancy may have been the best thing that happened to the film because it delayed filming and eventually had Beyonce bow out of the project. Beyonce leaving the project opened the door for my front runner this year for lead actress, Lady Gaga. There was never a doubt that Lady Gaga would be great in this role, however, to my surprise, Gaga’s turn as Ally is not only my favorite performance of the year but may go down as one of Gaga’s transcendent moments in her career. A performance that will not only lead her to an Oscar nomination but a performance that may likely land her on the Oscar stage.
What works so well in Gaga’s performance is that it is not solely focused on her singing chops. She is able to perform effectively as an actress. Something that many fans got to see during her role in American Horror Story: Hotel. There are moments within the film that had me floored. From her first moment on stage to a scene of Ally and Jackson in the shower to even where Ally shows her frustration at Jackson all leading to the film’s finale where Gaga puts both her growth as an actress and her greatness as a singer and molds it into one of the finest moments in a film of 2018.
Bradley Cooper’s first attempt at directing may go down as one of the finest debuts in quite a while. There is rarely a moment in the film’s 2 hours and 15-minute runtime where I thought that this film was the work of a first time director. Cooper knew that capturing the subtle moments between Jackson and Ally were important to the core of their relationship. This along with the direction of the performances in the film may have put Cooper in rare air as his directorial debut, along with his performance, leading him to a double nomination as both an actor and director. The other important relationship in the film is between Jackson and his brother Bobby Maine, played by Sam Elliot.
For me, the film has two love stories: between Ally and Jackson and Jackson and Bobby. Unlike his feelings for Ally, his love and respect for Bobby were much more difficult for Jackson to express. The duality of Jack’s relationship with Ally and Bobby aided in the film’s brilliance as you root for the possibility of Jackson and Bobby having that moment where they truly express their love for each other. Elliot’s performance was another in the line of truly year defining performances that should land him an Oscar nomination for the first time in his illustrious career.
The film’s cinematography is 2018’s best. As with Roger Deakins in last year’s Blade Runner 2049, Matthew Libatique’s work in A Star is Born is visually stunning. Every shot in the film is a master class in shooting a film. If there is a sure thing in this film, outside of Gaga, it’s Libatique’s Oscar chances. I’m calling it now that this is the best shot film of 2018.
Despite all the greatness mentioned thus far, the film would not have worked if the music failed to deliver. A Star is Born’s soundtrack brings back memories of the same feeling I had back in 2016 when I first heard Justin Hurwitz’s La La Land soundtrack and score. While it may be weird to look at the soundtrack that is only two years old, the feelings I had and continue to have while listening to La La Land continues to have an effect on me to this day. A Star is Born’s soundtrack is simply masterful. Every song has a focus to a scene and captures the importance of that specific moment. There is no better example than “Shallow”, my pick for Best Original Song. When first listening to the song out of context, I still considered it a great song. But then I watched the film and hearing the song in context, it’s hard not to shed a tear.
A Star is Born is a film not many of us asked for but a film that we all are happy exists. A film that shows that remakes can be done well if the right people are behind it and can be described in many ways, including the best film of 2018.
Reel Talk gives A Star is Born 4 Reels
