A Star is Born is one of those stories that Holywood revises about once every generation. It is not a new story, but the modernization of the story is something each audience can enjoy. In preparation for the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper iteration of the film, I spent this past week watching the other three versions of the film, and I have some thoughts before I review the new film. Here are the most noticeable elements of comparison and contrast that I found in all four versions.
A Star is Born (1937)
Starring former silent film actress Janet Gaynor and all-time great leading man Frederic March, this was the original version of A Star is Born. Gaynor plays Esther Blodgett, an aspiring young actress who is taken under the wing of alcoholic actor Norman Maine. As Esther Blodgett, who is renamed Vicki Lester, becomes a bigger star, Maine's alcoholism and low-box office numbers watch him fade into oblivion. It seems to be one of the first films to be a criticism of the Hollywood process, and how stars were neglected and left behind in the cut-throat business of Hollywood. Adolphe Menjou, who was one of the great actors of the 1930s also stars as the sympathetic but business-oriented Oliver Niles, who runs the studio. The film has a lot of heart and set the standard for the rest of the adaptations.
A Star is Born (1954)
Though the characters plot and even some of the dialogue are still the same, this version of a Star is Born does have some originality. When the original was made, Technicolor was still a new process. Naturally, the original film has some shoddy color work that does not hold up well. The 1954 version was shot in the era of Cinemascope, which was able to use vibrant colors and make them pop more on the screen. Adding musical elements with the incredible talent of Judy Garland as Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester makes the film a tour de force. James Mason also plays the more sympathetic version of Norman Maine, and the more accurate portrayal alcoholic than March's. This is coming from a recovering alcoholic. Mason's Maine is charming when he first appears on the screen, and as the film goes on, his antics become tiring and pathetic as his star fades and his drinking increases. Garland plays the co-dependent spouse to absolute perfection. Garland probably mastered this skill from living her entire life addicted to alcohol and pills and watching her own carousel of significant others. Mason has always said that he believed that the 1937 version was far superior to the one he starred in, but I have to disagree. This version has the most heart and is the most painful watch of the first three. Garland was absolutely robbed of Best Actress, losing to Grace Kelly in The Country Girl by a reported six votes. To reach the best version, Gaga and Cooper have very tough competition.
A Star is Born (1976)
This is the most different and loosely adapted version of A Star is Born. Being the brainchild of star/producer Barbra Streisand, she originally wanted Elvis to star as the film's focus moved away from the movies and into music. Elvis wasn't in good health in this time and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, turned her down before Presley could even get wind of the offer. Streisand eventually starred alongside Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson had no problem playing a mean drunk because apparently, he was drunk throughout the production to put up with Streisand's diva behavior. This perm-filled variation of the film is by far the worst one. The relationship between the two has no crescendo at all. It is full throttle abusive and toxic behavior by both parties throughout the whole film. It becomes tiring when not viewed and increased gradually. It is hard to see why Streisand's Esther Hoffman finds Kristofferson's John Norman Howard appealing. He is a harsh, violent, and horrible drunk who's childish behavior is unbearable to watch as a viewer. At least Mason and March brought some charm to the character so the viewer wants to root them. Then again, Kristofferson is not half the actor that Frederic March or James Mason was. This film does have some really enjoyable music though, such as the classic Evergreen. This version by far has one huge advantage, even though it is, in my opinion, the worst adaptation. That is a whole lot of Gary Busey!!!
A Star is Born (2018)
After seeing all of these generational manifestations of A Star is Born, it is finally time to review the newest version. As previously mentioned the stakes are high with this movie. Can Lady Gaga act as well as she can sing? Can Bradley Cooper direct a movie? The answer to all of these questions is absolutely.
A Star is Born is a real treat. Following Lady Gaga as a dive bar singer and Bradley Cooper as an alcoholic and drug-addicted rock star named Jackson Maine. It takes many aspects of the original story and betters many of the 1976 version. Cooper plays an addict from his own experience as he has been in recovery for many years in real life. The gradual decompensation of his charming portrayal of Maine is truly tragic. It rivals James Mason's version as the most tragic downfall. Gaga gives a performance that gives Judy Garland a run for her money in terms of charm and vocals. I stand by that last sentence. the story also serves as a sort of anecdote for Gaga's career, as she has found more of the music and story she seems she wants to perform versus the meaningless yet catchy pop songs she began her career with. Gaga captures the screen with heart and poise. I truly forgot as a viewer that it was Gaga and found her character portrayal incredibly believable.
The technicals in the movie are amazing. In terms of the sheer number of breathtaking shots, this version takes the cake behind Matthew Libatique's breathtaking cinematography. Those who have seen any Darren Aronofsky film such as Requiem for a Dream or Black Swan should be familiar with how well Libatique can frame a shot, even showing some foreshadowing to the careful viewer. The job is easy for Bradley Cooper as a director behind Eric Roth's brilliant adapted screenplay that he co-wrote with Cooper. The film encapsulates what it currently means to be an addict, from stigmas to the opiate epidemic. The film also proves that addiction is a disease that doesn't discriminate by class, sex, age, race, or any factor at all. The film had me in tears, not only from the story but what it means to all addicts and the people that love them. I was also surprised to find that Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga wrote or co-wrote all of the songs for the movie. The songs are amazing as songs and could easily chart without being songs on a soundtrack.
Overall, this might be the best version of A Star is Born. Though it would take multiple viewings to determine this, I believe this is one of those once in a generation movie. Gaga proves that she is one of the best pure entertainers of all time. Bradley Cooper will not only be an amazing actor, but a director to watch for a very long time. I cannot sing this film's praises enough. As soon as it ended, I wanted to re-enter the theater. I could nitpick and try and find a flaw, but I really could not. This was my favorite movie of the year, so far.
Grade: (10/10)
A Star is Born is a real treat. Following Lady Gaga as a dive bar singer and Bradley Cooper as an alcoholic and drug-addicted rock star named Jackson Maine. It takes many aspects of the original story and betters many of the 1976 version. Cooper plays an addict from his own experience as he has been in recovery for many years in real life. The gradual decompensation of his charming portrayal of Maine is truly tragic. It rivals James Mason's version as the most tragic downfall. Gaga gives a performance that gives Judy Garland a run for her money in terms of charm and vocals. I stand by that last sentence. the story also serves as a sort of anecdote for Gaga's career, as she has found more of the music and story she seems she wants to perform versus the meaningless yet catchy pop songs she began her career with. Gaga captures the screen with heart and poise. I truly forgot as a viewer that it was Gaga and found her character portrayal incredibly believable.
The technicals in the movie are amazing. In terms of the sheer number of breathtaking shots, this version takes the cake behind Matthew Libatique's breathtaking cinematography. Those who have seen any Darren Aronofsky film such as Requiem for a Dream or Black Swan should be familiar with how well Libatique can frame a shot, even showing some foreshadowing to the careful viewer. The job is easy for Bradley Cooper as a director behind Eric Roth's brilliant adapted screenplay that he co-wrote with Cooper. The film encapsulates what it currently means to be an addict, from stigmas to the opiate epidemic. The film also proves that addiction is a disease that doesn't discriminate by class, sex, age, race, or any factor at all. The film had me in tears, not only from the story but what it means to all addicts and the people that love them. I was also surprised to find that Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga wrote or co-wrote all of the songs for the movie. The songs are amazing as songs and could easily chart without being songs on a soundtrack.
Overall, this might be the best version of A Star is Born. Though it would take multiple viewings to determine this, I believe this is one of those once in a generation movie. Gaga proves that she is one of the best pure entertainers of all time. Bradley Cooper will not only be an amazing actor, but a director to watch for a very long time. I cannot sing this film's praises enough. As soon as it ended, I wanted to re-enter the theater. I could nitpick and try and find a flaw, but I really could not. This was my favorite movie of the year, so far.
Grade: (10/10)
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