A Star is Born

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

The first time I saw this movie I rated it a 7. I thought it was kind of overhyped, and the roller coaster of the first hour felt disconnected from the train crash back half. On rewatch this movie is maybe a masterpiece? At least I think the last hour or so is. The charms of the beginning fell totally flat, with Ally jumping on stage nervously to then absolutely belt out the song she practiced once before being more of an eye roll than a fist pump. So much of their earlier encounters had me squirming with awkwardness. The nose touching is weird, not cute, and the parking lot is so cringey. Hearing someone earnestly singing a deep song as if they made it up on the spot is just so uncomfortable.

But when things start falling apart this movie is incredible. I will never understand what made Ally fall for this raging alcoholic in the first place, but the love she shows for him feels earned and real. The arguments, the artistic tension, the scene at the recovery clinic especially had my stomach in knots. The SNL scene is also a standout for me, with the complicated idea of selling out and how he reacts to it.

I will never understand Jackson's final choice, but I guess I am blessed to not be afflicted with the sickness he lives with. When he talks about his experience as a young boy at the recovery clinic I totally forgot that that was an element here, and it is crazy dark. Cooper is terrific in this role, and its pretty astonishing that its also his directorial debut. Also, I didn't realize how much he changed his voice to sound like Sam Elliot! Impressive stuff.

Speaking of Sam Elliot, he's my stealth MVP. Every scene with him is an emotional punch, and their relationship is the most understandable part of the movie for me. That short scene in the car, where they can barely talk to each other, and then their awkward good bye, its like the brother version of Manchester By The Sea, so hard to watch because it is so raw.

Anyways, I can't claim this as a 10/10 masterpiece, but I left my second viewing feeling very differently than I did the first. The jump cut at the end is jarring and so powerful, a real master stroke that has increased my opinion of the movie by 2 whole stars. Also doesn't hurt that the songs are all great.