A Star Is Born (2018) is a highly praised American musical drama film. Bradley Cooper directed and starred in his directorial debut with Lady Gaga. Supporting actors include Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, and Dave Chappelle.1
It’s the fourth American adaptation of the classic Hollywood story. Following the 1937 original and 1954 and 1976 remakes.
The film portrays an alcoholic country-rock musician, Jackson Maine (Cooper). He discovers and falls for an aspiring singer-songwriter, Ally (Gaga).
As Ally’s fame rises, Jackson’s alcoholism and relationship struggles take a toll.
Key Takeaways
- A Star Is Born (2018) is a critically acclaimed American musical romantic drama film.
- The film is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars Cooper and Lady Gaga in the lead roles.
- It is the fourth American adaptation of the classic Hollywood story.
- The film follows an alcoholic country-rock musician who discovers and falls in love with a young, aspiring singer-songwriter.
- As the female lead’s fame grows, the male lead’s struggles with alcoholism and their relationship challenges take a toll on both of them.
A Star Is Born (2018) Movie: A Musical Romantic Drama
A Star Is Born (2018) is a mesmerizing musical romantic drama.2 Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut with this compelling film.1 It stars Cooper and Lady Gaga in lead roles.
This adaptation explores the tumultuous relationship between an aging musician and a budding singer-songwriter. As their lives intertwine, their careers take different trajectories.
Directed by Bradley Cooper in His Directorial Debut
Bradley Cooper showcases his cinematic talent and vision in his directorial debut. He skillfully blends musical and dramatic elements, creating an emotionally resonant experience.
Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in Lead Roles
Cooper delivers a transformative portrayal of the troubled, alcoholic musician Jackson Maine. Lady Gaga’s breakout acting debut as Ally is a standout achievement.
A Remake of the Classic Hollywood Story
This latest iteration pays homage to the timeless Hollywood tale. It offers a fresh, contemporary take on love, fame, and sacrifice.
The Compelling Story of Love, Fame, and Sacrifice
Jackson Maine: An Aging Rockstar Battling Alcoholism
The film’s story revolves around Jackson Maine, portrayed by Bradley Cooper.
Jackson is an aging country-rock musician privately grappling with alcoholism.
His struggles with addiction form a central narrative thread.
Ally: An Aspiring Singer-Songwriter Discovered by Jackson
One fateful night, Jackson encounters Ally, played by Lady Gaga.
Ally is a talented aspiring singer-songwriter performing at a drag club.
Captivated by her raw talent, Jackson takes Ally under his wing.
Their Tumultuous Journey Through the Highs and Lows of Celebrity
As Ally’s star rises, Jackson battles to maintain industry relevance.
Their romantic relationship develops amid the highs and lows of fame.
The film explores sacrifice amidst their tumultuous celebrity journeys.
Outstanding Performances and Cinematic Artistry
A Star Is Born (2018) boasts exceptional performances.1 Bradley Cooper delivers a transformative portrayal as Jackson Maine.1 His directorial debut showcases remarkable cinematic artistry.1 Lady Gaga’s acting debut as Ally is naturalistic and vulnerable.
Bradley Cooper’s Transformative Acting and Direction
Bradley Cooper’s performance as Jackson Maine is outstanding.1 He captures the character’s raw emotion and complexity.1 Cooper’s directorial debut is a testament to his cinematic artistry.
Lady Gaga’s Breakout Acting Debut
Lady Gaga shines as Ally, the aspiring singer-songwriter.1 Critics praise her authentic and emotionally profound portrayal.1 Her breakout acting debut solidifies her multifaceted artistry.
Acclaimed Supporting Cast: Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, and More
The strong supporting cast complements the lead performances.1 Sam Elliott delivers a nuanced, emotional portrayal.1 Andrew Dice Clay adds depth as Ally’s father.1 The ensemble elevates the film’s artistry and storytelling.
A Soundtrack That Captivated Audiences
The music and soundtrack of A Star Is Born (2018) played a crucial role in the film’s success. The hit single “Shallow,” co-written and performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, became a global phenomenon. It won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song.3
Lady Gaga’s contributions to the powerful and emotional soundtrack were widely praised. The songs reflected the film’s themes of love, fame, and personal struggle, captivating audiences and critics alike.
The Hit Single “Shallow” and Its Impact
In the original version, “Shallow” is played at 96 BPM in the key of G. The duet harmonies kick in at 2:05, and Lady Gaga’s dramatic vocal build starts at 2:28, continuing through 3:06.4 The song concludes at 3:36 after dropping in intensity.4
The cover version increased the tempo to 120 BPM for streaming platforms.4
Lady Gaga’s Contributions to the Powerful Soundtrack
In the original, the instrumentation starts with acoustic guitar, adding cello, piano, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, and strings.4 The cover version starts with drums/hand percussion, followed by fretless electric bass, acoustic guitars, duet harmony, electric sitar guitar, and background harmonies reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s vocal build.4
The cover includes a tribal rhythm with drums during the vocal build, adding an almost harp-like quality with sitar guitar and oriental, chime-like elements.4 The cover version ramps down the energy towards the conclusion, similar to the original.4
The cover of “Shallow” by Raveis Kole is set for release on Valentine’s Day (2-14-2020) on major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon.4 Raveis Kole can be found on Spotify under ‘Raveis Kole’ or ‘Electric Blue Dandelion’.4 The release aims to engage with their audience and share their music.4 Raveis Kole is encouraging audience engagement by asking for song suggestions for potential cover songs.4
Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success
A Star Is Born (2018) received widespread acclaim. Critics praised the performances, direction, cinematography, and soundtrack.5 It earned a 90% Tomatometer score from 538 reviews. Over 10,000 audience ratings gave it 79%.5
Award-Winning Performances and Accolades
The outstanding cast won numerous awards. The film received eight Academy Award nominations.2 These included Best Picture, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Actress (Lady Gaga), and Best Supporting Actor (Sam Elliott).2
Lady Gaga made history by winning an Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe in one year. Her contributions to A Star Is Born earned her this distinction.2
Worldwide Box Office Success
Commercially, A Star Is Born soared. It grossed over $436 million worldwide.2 With a $36 million budget, it earned over $436 million globally. This showcased its widespread appeal and commercial viability.2
Conclusion
A Star Is Born (2018) is a timeless cinematic masterpiece.6 It has cemented its place in Hollywood history.6 This latest version resonates globally, marking a modern classic.6
Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut shines with Lady Gaga’s acting.7 They leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.7 The iconic narrative’s cultural impact endures.7
The film’s powerful story, outstanding performances, and exceptional music captivate.7 It earns critical acclaim and commercial success.7
From the 1937 non-musical version to 1954’s Judy Garland rendition,6 and 1976’s Barbara Streisand take, this story evolves.6 The 2018 version focusing on music business stands out.6
As this iteration concludes, its impact will resonate.6 It inspires future generations as a cultural touchstone.6 A Star Is Born (2018) is a must-see experience.6
FAQ
What is A Star Is Born (2018)?
A Star Is Born (2018) is a critically acclaimed American musical romantic drama. It was directed by Bradley Cooper in his directorial debut. The film stars Cooper and Lady Gaga in the lead roles.
Supporting cast includes Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, and Dave Chappelle. It’s the fourth American adaptation of the classic Hollywood story.
Who are the main characters in the film?
The main characters are Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), an aging country-rock musician battling alcoholism and addiction. Ally (Lady Gaga) is a talented aspiring singer-songwriter Jackson discovers.
As their romantic relationship develops, Ally’s star rises while Jackson struggles with sobriety and relevance.
What is the plot of the film?
The film follows Jackson and Ally’s tumultuous journey navigating fame, love, and personal sacrifice. Jackson helps Ally break into the music industry.
As Ally’s fame grows, Jackson’s alcoholism and relationship challenges take a toll.
How were the performances in the film received?
Performances were widely praised, with Bradley Cooper delivering a transformative turn as the troubled Jackson. Lady Gaga made a remarkable acting debut as Ally.
Supporting performances from Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, and others were acclaimed.
What was the significance of the film’s music and soundtrack?
The music and soundtrack were critical to the film’s success. The hit “Shallow” by Gaga and Cooper became a global phenomenon.
Lady Gaga’s powerful contributions to the emotional soundtrack were widely praised.
How did the film perform critically and commercially?
A Star Is Born received widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including eight Academy Award nominations. It was a commercial success, grossing over 6 million worldwide.
Source Links
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517451/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Star_Is_Born_(2018_film)
- https://slate.com/culture/2018/10/a-star-is-born-soundtrack-review-lady-gaga-album.html
- https://raveiskole.com/blogs/electric-blue-dandelion/posts/6208136/from-the-stage-to-streaming-platforms-the-evolution-of-a-cover-song-part-two-making-of-shallow
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_star_is_born_2018
- https://danialcorn.com/screenwriting-analysis-a-star-is-born-2018/
- https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-star-is-born-2018
