This is the fourth remake of this movie. The original, made in 1937, starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. It did not have any singing in it, but the storyline of the female lead being a rising star as the male lead's fame begins a downturn is present through all four films. I have not seen this movie but plan to watch it this weekend.
The first remake, done in 1954, stars Judy Garland and James Mason. This one, from what I've heard since I haven't seen this one either, has plenty of singing. And dancing. Because Judy Garland.
The third, which is the one I know and love, starring Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand, came out in 1976. I know every word of every song and have seen the film multiple times. Even after having seen the new one, this (until I see the other two) remains my favorite.
The newest version, directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga was good, but in a sense, disturbing. Bradley Cooper's character, Jackson Maine, was just too tortured a soul for me. Too drunk. Too high. Too out of control. And the spiraling of his life, the embarrassing actions of him while drunk and high, the chaos of the life he leads, is too much. I don't like watching it and I certainly wouldn't want anything to do with it. I have never liked being around people who drink, let alone people who do it to such excess, they ruin themselves and everything around them.
The Kris Kristofferson character, John Norman Howard, was a drunk too. But it didn't seem as extreme. Watching Kristofferson on screen didn't make me cringe as much as Bradley Cooper's character did. That said, I thought the acting was very good.
This was Lady Gaga's acting debut and she did a fine job. And if you know anything about her, you'll know she has an outstanding voice. Bradley Cooper did a great job with his character, too. Very believable. And let me just tell you....he's beautiful. Just beautiful. Even sunburned and sweaty, with greasy rock star hair. His grittiness is sexy. And his swagger can make you swoon. And his eyes. Oh, those eyes - especially when he rolls down the limo window for one more look.
The New York Times put together this piece about the four flicks. The "one more look" stood right out to me, mainly because of the song in the version of the movie I've seen. In my opinion, it's the best song in the movie. This song is done at the end of the movie and she does a mash-up with "Watch Closely Now". Barbra gives me chills.
Bradley Cooper did all his own guitar playing and singing. I read he spent months learning how to play and really worked on his singing voice. And it was pretty damn good. This song, "Shallow", was written by Lady Gaga's character in the film (and by Lady Gaga in real life) was one of the best songs in the film. They're both outstanding.
Tell me somethin', girl
Are you happy in this modern world?
Or do you need more?
Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?
I'm falling
In all the good times I find myself
Longin' for change
And in the bad times I fear myself
Tell me something, boy
Aren't you tired tryin' to fill that void?
Or do you need more?
Ain't it hard keeping it so hardcore?
I'm falling
In all the good times I find myself
Longing for change
And in the bad times I fear myself
I'm off the deep end, watch as I dive in
I'll never meet the ground
Crash through the surface, where they can't hurt us
We're far from the shallow now
In the shallow, shallow
In the shallow, shallow
In the shallow, shallow
We're far from the shallow now
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Whoah!
I'm off the deep end, watch as I dive in
I'll never meet the ground
Crash through the surface, where they can't hurt us
We're far from the shallow now
In the shallow, shallow
In the shallow, shallow
In the shallow, shallow
We're far from the shallow now
Seeing this movie did not move me enough to call it my favorite A Star Is Born, and I wouldn't call it great, but I'd recommend it for Bradley Cooper or Lady Gaga fans, and if you've seen any of the other movies, you'll definitely have to see it to compare them.
My next movie night will include the first two versions.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Not Exactly "Woodland" Creatures
2016: Hot Is Hot
2015: Washy Watercolor Morning
2014: The Piano Man Put Us In A New York State Of Mind
2017: Not Exactly "Woodland" Creatures
2016: Hot Is Hot
2015: Washy Watercolor Morning
2014: The Piano Man Put Us In A New York State Of Mind
2013: Eddie Sandwich
2009: Mexico? Derecho.
2008: Juxtaposition
2005: Sleeping Beauty
1 comment:
I'm with you Salena. I love, love, love the Barbra Streisand version of this movie. I also know every word of every song! Haven't seen this new version yet (not exactly a Gaga fan!) but will try to check it out soon. BTW - Bradley is part-Italian! Love, Cousin Maria
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